Pharmaceutical compositions comprising 2-quinolones

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition having an activity on the proliferation of clonogenic cells in tumours and comprising an efficient amount of a compound selected among the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) wherein: X, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6  are as defined in claim 1.

This application is a 371 of PCT/FR99/01716, filed Jul. 13, 1999.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising 2-quinolones or derivative compounds.

A cancer is a disorder of the somatic genes in the course of which genetic dysfunctions are amplified as the tumoral process progresses from the state of precancerous lesion to that of malignant transformation, the cancer tumor becoming metastatic and often resistant to cytotoxic medicines.

Despite the very considerable efforts made in all the developed countries, in particular through experimental and clinical research programs, mortality due to various cancers (solid tumors and hematological neoplasties) remains unacceptably high. In many countries, cancer is the second most common cause of death, just after cardiovascular diseases.

In terms of newly diagnosed cancers, the distribution between solid tumors and hematological neoplasties (bone marrow, blood, lymphatic system) shows that 9 out of 10 cancers are solid tumors. In contrast with what is observed in hematological oncology (therapeutic successes in 40% to 90% of cancers of blood cells), only a small number of advanced or disseminated solid tumors respond to chemotherapy treatments alone. It is partly for this reason that the overall death by cancer grew in the USA between 1973 and 1992.

Unfortunately, it is not certain that this tendency may be reversed merely by the appearance, alongside the established chemotherapy arsenal, of new antitumor medicines such as taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) which interfere with the formation of microtubules (W. P. McGuire et al., Am. Intern. Med., 1989), topoisomerase I inhibitors derived from camptothecin (topotecan and irinotecan), vinorelbine (novel alkaloid derived from periwinkle), gemcitabine (novel cytotoxic antimetabolite), raltitrexed (thymidylate synthetase inhibitor) and miltefosine (first representative of the alkyl-lysophospholipid family). These treatments are added, either as a first line treatment or as a second line treatment, to medicines whose specific activity is now well recognized, such as doxorubicin, cysplatin, vincristine, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil.

One of the most difficult current problems in anticancer chemotherapy is due to the fact that many populations of malignant cells show considerable resistance to the established cytotoxic substances. Usually, this situation results from the existence of multi-drug-resistance genes or from the frequency of genetic mutations in certain types of tumors. Thus, the treatment of cancers requires novel approaches, complementary to those currently used, and designed to better combat the extension and heterogeneity of the tumor load and the acquisition of “cytotoxic multidrug” resistance.

Among these novel approaches, some are already promising. This is the case for the induction of apoptosis, the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and of metastatic processes, not to mention gene therapy or immunotherapy.

The inventors have become interested in a different approach. The desired objective was to make the population of tumor cells more sensitive to the standard anticancer treatments in order to achieve a twofold benefit:

1) to increase the cytotoxic activity and thus the efficacy, and

2) to reduce the frequency and severity of certain side effects by means of reducing the dosage which might follow the induction of the increase in the antitumor efficacy.

It is this strategy which underlies the discovery of compositions capable of inducing a highly significant increase in the cytotoxic activity of tested anticancer medicines. These compositions have the capacity either of stimulating the recruitment of clonogenic cells in the tumor, thus making it more sensitive to the conventional treatment with cytotoxic agents, or of inhibiting the proliferation of clonogenic cells, thus contributing toward the regression of the tumor.

A subject of the present invention is thus the use, in the treatment of cancers with at least one antitumor agent chosen from cytotoxic agents, of a compound having activity on the proliferation of clonogenic cells in tumors, chosen from the compounds of formulae:

in which:

X is chosen from ═O, ═S and ═N—NH—R₇, R₇ being a phenyl or pyridyl group,

R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCO—R₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group,

R₅ is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂—R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide,

R₆ is chosen from H, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀,

R_(6a) is chosen from a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀,

R₉ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group,

A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group,

R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hetero atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COOR₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅ and a group —COR₁₆, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl(C₁-C₄ alkyl) group,

R₄ and R₆ together also possibly forming a —CO—CH₂—CH₂— group.

The cytotoxic agents may be used at their usual dose and, in this case, their efficacy is improved, or at lower doses given the increase in their antitumor efficacy.

In one preferred embodiment, the compound used is a compound of formula (I) in which:

R₁ is a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group

R₂ is a hydrogen atom

R₃ is a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group

R₄ is a hydrogen atom,

and in particular a compound of formula (I) in which:

R₅ is a 4-(C₁-C₄ alkoxy)phenyl group,

and most particularly a compound of formula (I) in which:

R₁ is a methoxy group,

R₃ is a methoxy group, and

R₅ is a 4-methoxyphenyl group.

It has also been discovered that at least some of the compounds of formula (I) had antitumor activity themselves.

A subject of the present invention is also a composition having activity on the proliferation of clonogenic cells in tumors by interfering with the generation of clonogenic cells, either by stimulating proliferation and recruitment, or by inhibiting proliferation, and which comprises an effective amount of a compound of formulae:

in which:

X is chosen from ═O, ═S and ═N—NH—R₇, R₇ being a phenyl or pyridyl group, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCO—R₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group,

R₅ is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂—R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide,

R₆ is chosen from H, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀,

R_(6a) is chosen from a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀,

R₉ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group,

A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group,

R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hetero atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COOR₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅ and a group —COR₁₆,

R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl(C₁-C₄ alkyl) group,

R₄ and R₆ together also possibly forming a —CO—CH₂—CH₂— group.

A subject of the present invention is also novel compounds, namely compounds of formulae:

in which:

X is chosen from ═O, ═S and ═N—NH—R₇, R₇ being a phenyl or pyridyl group,

R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCO—R₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group,

R₅ is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂—R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide,

R₆ is chosen from H, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀,

R_(6a) is chosen from a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀,

R₉ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group,

A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group,

R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hetero atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COOR₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅ and a group —COR₁₆,

R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl(C₁-C₄ alkyl) group,

R₄ and R₆ together also possibly forming a —CO—CH₂—CH₂— group,

with the exclusion of the compounds in which X=O, R₆=H and two of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are OH or OCH₃.

In the chemotherapy treatment of cancers with cytotoxic agents, the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) can be administered at the start of the chemotherapy treatments either once or over several days at the start of these treatments (for example for 5 to 7 days) and, depending on the chemotherapy protocol, at the start of each treatment cycle (for example for 2 to 5 days) in the course of each cure.

The compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) are advantageously administered by infusion (generally in 1 to 3 hours) at doses of from 5 to 50 mg/kg/day or 200 to 2000 mg/m²/day.

In order to obtain a maximal effect on the production (inhibition or stimulation) of clonogenic cells, the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) should be administered such that the tissue concentrations obtained are as high as can possibly be envisaged.

For the treatment protocols in the acute phases of the cures, the intravenous route is preferred, using:

ready-to-use infusion solutions (bags, bottles, etc.) intended to be administered without any modification, by intravenous infusion using an infusion line and at the recommended rate:

lyophilizates to be redissolved for intravenous infusion using pharmaceutical solutions known to those skilled in the art;

for maintenance treatments, it is also possible to envisage the oral route when the chemotherapy treatment favors the oral administration of cytostatic agents. To this end, lozenges (for oral or perlingual absorption), immediate-release or delayed-release tablets, oral solutions, suspensions, granules, gel capsules, etc. may be used.

The cytotoxic agents may be chosen from:

i) intercalating agents, in particular doxorubicin (Adriamycin), daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, zorubicin, aclarubicin, pirarubicin, acridine, mitoxanthrone, actinomycin D, eptilinium acetate;

ii) alkylating agents chosen from platinum derivatives (cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin);

iii) a compound chosen from the other groups of alkylating agents:

cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, chlormetrine, melphalan, chlorambucil, estramustine,

busulfan, mitomycin C,

nitrosoureas: BCNU (carmustine), CCNU (lomustine), fotemustine, streptozotocin,

triazines or derivatives: procarbazine, dacarbazine,

pipobroman,

ethyleneimines: altretamine, triethylene-thio-phosphoramide,

iv) a compound chosen from the other groups of anti-metabolic agents:

antifolic agents: methotrexate, raltitrexed,

antipyrimidine agents: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cytarabine (Ara-C),

hydroxyurea

antipurine agents: purinethol, thioguanine, pentostatin, cladribine,

cytotoxic nucleoside synthesis inducers: gemcitabine,

v) a compound chosen from the other groups of tubulin-affinity agents,

vinca alkaloids which disrupt the mitotic spindle: vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, navelbine,

agents which block the depolymerization of the mitotic spindle: paclitaxel, docetaxel,

agents which induce DNA cleavage by inhibition of topoisomerase II: etoposide, teniposide,

topoisomerase I inhibitors which induce DNA cleavage: topotecan, irinotecan,

vi) a DNA splitting or fragmenting agent, such as bleomycin,

vii) one of the following compounds: plicamycin, L-asparaginase, mitoguazone, dacarbazine,

viii) an anticancer progestative steroid; medroxy-progesterone, megestrol,

ix) an anticancer estrogen steroid: diethylstilbestrol; tetrasodium fosfestrol,

x) an antiestrogen agent: tamoxifen, droloxifen, raloxifen, aminoglutethimide,

xi) a steroidal antiandrogenic agent (eg cyproterone) or a non-steroidal antiandrogenic agent (flutamide, nilutamide).

In particular, the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) may be combined with all the major treatments with cytotoxic agents used in solid tumor polychemotherapies, such as:

doxorubicin

alkylating agents: oxazophorines (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, chlorambucil, melphalan)

nitrosoureas

mitomycin C

antimetabolites such as methotrexate, 5-FU, Ara-C, capecitabine

agents which interfere with tubulin: vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, navelbine), taxoids (paclitaxel, docetaxel), epipodophyllotoxin derivatives (etoposide, teniposide)

bleomycin

topoisomerase I inhibitors: topotecan, irinotecan.

Similarly, the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) may be combined with the treatments with the major cytotoxic agents used in oncohematology for the treatment of blood cancers:

Hodgkin's disease: cyclophosphamide, mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, melphalan, ifosfamide, etoposide, doxorubicin, daunorubicin;

acute leukemias: methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, cytarabine, vinblastine, vincristine, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, L-asparaginase;

non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas: mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, ifosfamide, methotrexate, cytarabine, vinblastine, vincristine, etoposide, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, carmustine, lomustine, cisplatin;

chronic lymphoid leukemias: mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, ifosfamide.

In general, the compounds of formula (I) may be prepared according to the following reaction schemes:

A reagent of the type XR₆ in which X=I, Br or Cl may be used as alkylating agent.

As a variant, a compound CH₂=CH—R can be used to attach a group R₆=—CH₂—CH₂—R (corresponding to the group —A—R₁₀ defined above).

In addition, it is possible to convert some or all of the alkoxy groups into hydroxyl groups according to known methods. Similarly, the hydroxyl groups may be converted into ester or sulfonate according to the known methods.

Similarly, it is possible to convert a group —A—COOR₁₁, in which R₁₁ is an alkyl or phenylalkyl group, into a group —A—COOH and to convert a group —A—COOH into a group —A—CONR₁₂R₁₃, according to known methods.

The compounds in which R₄ and R₆ form a —CO—CH₂—CH₂— group can be obtained by cyclization of a compound in which R₄=H and R₆=—CH₂—CH₂—COOH.

EXAMPLE 1 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxhphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 1) a) N-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide (Compound 2)

500 mg (3.3 mmol) of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline are dissolved in toluene (7 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of 4-methoxyphenylacetyl chloride (0.5 ml, 3.3 mmol) in 5 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The aqueous phase is-extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is crystallized from petroleum ether to give 810 mg (82%) of compound 2.

m.p. 135-137° C. (toluene); IR (KBr) n 3292, 1658, 1615 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.66 (s, 2H, CH₂), 3.74 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.20 (t, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.62-6.66 (m, 2H, H_(Ar)), 6.95 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), (broad s, 1H, NH), 7.23 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(AR)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 44.0, 55.3, 55.4 (2), 96.7, 97.9 (2), 114.4 (2), 126.2, 130.7 (2), 139.4, 159.0, 161.0 (2), 169.5. MS (ionspray): 302 (M+1)⁺.

b) 2-Chloro-5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydroquinoline (Compound 3)

0.31 ml (4.0 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethyl-formamide is added dropwise to 1.75 ml (20.0 mmol, 7.5 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C., followed by addition of 810 mg of amide 2 (2.7 mmol). The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and is then heated at 75° C. for 2.5 h. At the end of the reaction, this solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with 30% aqueous ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: 3/7 EtOAc/PE) to give 270 mg (30%) of compound 3.

m.p. 156-157° C. (toluene); ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.87 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.95 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.52 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.97-7.01 (m, 3H, H_(Ar)), 6.95 (d, 2H, J=8.7 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.35 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.9 MHz, CDCl₃): d 55.3, 55.7, 55.8, 98.6, 98.9, 113.6 (2), 115.8, 125.9, 130.5, 131.0 (2), 133.8, 149.0, 150.5, 156.0, 159.4, 162.1. MS (ionspray): m/z 330 (M+1)⁺, 332 (M+3)⁺.

c) 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 1)

Compound 3 (250 mg, 0.76 mmol) dissolved in acetic acid (1.2 ml, 26.25 mmol per mmol of 3) and water (0.04 ml, 2.77 mmol per mmol of 3) is refluxed for 3 h. The acetic acid is evaporated off. The residue obtained is taken up in water, neutralized with 25% sodium hydroxide solution and finally extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, this operation bringing about crystallization of the final product. The crystals thus obtained are filtered off to give 200 mg (85%) of compound 1.

The overall yield for the synthesis carried out to obtain compound 1 is 21%.

m.p. 254-255° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1664, 1628, 1573, 1518 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.35 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.45 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.95 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.66 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.96 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 11.76 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO=d₆): d 55.1, 55.4, 55.9, 90.0, 93.0, 104.6, 113.3 (2), 126.5, 129.0, 129.6 (2), 130.2, 140.5, 156.6, 158.7, 161.5, 161.9. MS (ionspray): m/z 312 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₈H₁₇NO₄: C, 69.44; H, 5.50; N, 4.50. Found: C, 69.29; H, 5.40; N, 4.55.

EXAMPLE 2 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 4)

530 mg (1.70 mmol) of compound 1 are dissolved in 15 ml of acetic acid, under an inert atmosphere. A commercial solution of 48% HBr in water (2.65 ml) is added dropwise (exothermic reaction) to the reaction mixture. The final solution is refluxed with stirring for 5 h. After cooling, the reaction is diluted by addition of water and is then neutralized with 10% sodium hydroxide solution (pH=6-7). The product is extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: 9/1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 175 mg (35%) of compound 4.

m.p. 275-276° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1628, 1604, 1558, 1518 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.35 (d, 1H, J=2.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.43 (d, 1H, J=2.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.78 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.55 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.92 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 9.48 (s, 1H, OH), 11.72 (broad s, 1H, NH); ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 55.4, 55.9, 90.0, 93.0, 104.7, 114.8 (2), 126.9, 127.4, 129.6, 129.8 (2), 140.4, 156.6, 156.9, 161.6, 161.8; MS (ionspray): m/z 298 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₇H₁₅NO₄: C, 68.68; H, 5.09; N, 4.71. Found: C, 68.90; H, 5.09; N, 4.90.

EXAMPLE 3 5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 5)

1.0 g (3.2 mmol) of compound 1 is dissolved in 15 ml of acetic acid, under an inert atmosphere. A commercial solution of 48% HBr in water (5 ml) is added dropwise (exothermic reaction) to the reaction mixture. The final solution is refluxed with stirring for 3 days. After cooling, the reaction is diluted by addition of water and is then neutralized with 10% sodium hydroxide solution (pH=6-7). The product is extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: 9/1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 320 mg (37%) of compound 5.

m.p. >280° C. ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 6.11 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.18 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.76 (d, 2H, J=8.6 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.52 (d, 2H, J=8.6 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.89 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 9.42 (s, 1H, OH), 9.84 (s, 1H, OH), 10.21 (s, 1H, OH), 11.46 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 91.3, 96.4, 103.5, 114.7 (2), 125.1, 127.8, 129.4 (2), 130.4, 140.7, 155.3, 156.6, 160.1, 161.8. MS (ionspray): m/z 270 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₅H₁₁NO₄: C, 66.91; H, 4.12; N, 5.20. Found: C, 66.80; H, 4.00; N, 5.40.

EXAMPLE 4 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxhphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinethione (Compound 6)

100 mg (0.32 mmol) of compound 1 are dissolved in 15 ml of toluene (hot dissolution), under an inert atmosphere. 260 mg (0.64 mmol, 2 eq) of Lawesson's reagent are added to the reaction mixture. The final solution is refluxed for 18 h. After cooling, the toluene is evaporated off. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: 9/1 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 81 mg (77%) of compound 6.

m.p. 229-230° C. (Et₂O); IR (KBr) 1636, 1610, 1524 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.49 (d, 1H, J=1.9 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.79 (d, 1H, J=1.9 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.92 (d, 2H, J=8.7 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.49 (d, 2H, J=8.7 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.78 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 13.50 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 55.1, 55.6, 56.1, 90.2, 95.2, 108.9, 112.9 (2), 128.2, 130.7 (2), 132.0, 136.3, 140.9, 156.4, 158.5, 162.5, 180.5. MS (ionspray): m/z 328 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₈H₁₇NO₃S: C, 66.03; H. 5.23; N, 4.28. Found: C, 66.30; H, 5.30; N, 4.35.

EXAMPLE 5 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 7)

600 mg (1.93 mmol) of compound 1 are dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 93 mg (3.86 mmol, 2 eq) of NaH, washed beforehand with petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). A solution of methyl iodide (0.48 ml, 7.72 mmol, 4 eq) diluted in 5 ml of DMF is added to the medium. The reaction is heated at 90° C. for 18 hours. After cooling, water is added to the reaction mixture and the solution is then stirred for 15 min. The solid obtained is collected by filtration through a sinter funnel and then rinsed with water. The solid is dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and washed twice with water. The organic phase obtained is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (8/2 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 408 mg (68%) of compound 7 and 157 mg (25%) of derivative 7a.

Compound 7

m.p. 125° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) n 1635, 1596, 1590, 1514 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.73 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 6.30 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.37 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.67 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.12 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 30.3, 55.3, 55.5, 55.8, 90.2, 92.6, 106.1, 113.5 (2), 127.0, 130.0, 130.1 (2), 130.2, 141.7, 157.6, 159.1, 162.2 (2). MS (ionspray): m/z 326 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₉H₁₉NO₄: C, 70.14; H, 5.89; N, 4.30. Found: C, 70.00; H, 5.73; N, 4.24.

Compound 7a:

2,5,7-Trimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)quinoline

m.p. 106-107° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) n 1621, 1515, 1265 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.86 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.94 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.08 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.40 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.85 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)) 6.97 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.57 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.26 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 53.5, 55.3, 55.5, 55.6, 95.9, 98.5, 112.8, 113.6 (2), 122.1, 129.6, 130.5 (2), 132.3, 147.9, 156.3, 158.9, 160.6, 161.3. MS (ionspray): 326 m/z (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₉H₁₉NO₄: C, 70.14; H, 5.89; N, 4.30. Found: C, 69.89; H, 5.81; N, 4.10.

EXAMPLE 6 5,7-Dimethozy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 8)

408 mg (1.3 mmol) of compound 7 are dissolved in 15 ml of acetic acid, under an inert atmosphere. A commercial solution of 48% HBr in water (2 ml) is added dropwise (exothermic reaction) to the reaction mixture. The final solution is refluxed with stirring for 5 h. After cooling, the reaction is diluted by addition of water and is then neutralized with 10% sodium hydroxide solution (pH=6-7). The product is extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: 7/3 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 220 mg (56%) of compound 8.

m.p. 204-205° C. (EtOAc); ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.63 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.46 (d, 1H, J=1.9 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.54 (d, 1H, J=1.9 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.76 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.48 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7 .93 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 9. 47 (s, 1H, OH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 30.5, 56.1, 56.5, 91.3, 93.4, 105.3, 115.2 (2), 126.5, 128.4, 129.2, 130.2 (2), 141.7, 157.4 (2), 161.4, 162.5. MS: m/z 312 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₁₈H₁₇NO₄: C, 69.44; H, 5.50; N, 4.50. Found: C, 69.65; H, 5.59; N, 4.60.

EXAMPLE 7 5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 9)

1. Method A: 200 mg (0.61 mmol) of compound 7 are dissolved in 15 ml of acetic acid, under an inert atmosphere. A commercial solution of 48% HBr in water (1 ml) is added dropwise (exothermic reaction) to the reaction mixture. The final solution is refluxed with stirring for 3 days. After cooling, the reaction is diluted by addition of water and is then neutralized with 10% sodium hydroxide solution (pH=6-7). The product is extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: 9/1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 61 mg (35%) of compound 9.

2. Method B: 1.0 g (3.1 mmol) of compound 7 is dissolved in 15 ml of dichloromethane, under an inert atmosphere. At 0° C., 1.81 ml (19.0 mmol, 6 eq) of boron tribromide are added dropwise (exothermic reaction) to the reaction mixture. The final solution is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The reaction is hydrolyzed by addition (dropwise) of water and is then neutralized with 10% sodium hydroxide solution (pH=6-7). The product is extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified on a column of silica (eluent: 9/1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 688 mg (76%) of compound 9.

m.p. >280° C. (EtOAc); ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSOd-₆): d 3.53 (s, 3H, CH₃), 6.25 (s, 2H, H_(Ar)), 6.76 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.47 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.92 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 9.42 (s, 1H, OH), 10.00 (s, 1H, OH), 10.35 (s, 1H, OH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSOd-₆): d 29.7, 91.8, 96.5, 103.5, 114.7 (2), 124.3, 128.4, 129.7 (3), 141.7, 155.9, 156.7, 160.6, 161.1. MS (ionspray): m/z 284 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₆H₁₃NO₄: C, 67.84; H, 4.63; N, 4.94. Found: C, 67.68; H, 4.46; N, 4.78.

EXAMPLE 8 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinethione (Compound 10)

500 mg (1.5 mmol) of compound 7 are dissolved in 30 ml of toluene, under a nitrogen atmosphere. 870 mg (2.1 mmol, 1.4 eq) of Lawesson's reagent are added to this reaction mixture. The reaction is refluxed for 12 h. After cooling, the solvent is evaporated off. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (3/7 EtOAc/PE) to give 376 mg (72%) of compound 10.

m.p. 176-177° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) 1613, 1570, 1512 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.95 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.39 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 6.39 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.56 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.93 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.43 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)) 7.97 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 39.5, 55.2, 55.6, 55.9, 91.1, 94.6, 109.9, 113.1 (2), 126.6, 130.8 (2), 134.3, 138.6, 142.7, 157.6, 158.8, 162.7, 184.5. MS: m/z 342 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₉H₁₉NO₃S: C, 66.84; H, 5.61; N, 4.10. Found: C, 66.70; H, 5.53; N, 4.03.

EXAMPLES 9 Ethyl 2-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]acetate ) (Compound 11)

1.0 g (3.2 mmol) of compound 1 is dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 115 mg (4.8 mmol, 1.5 eq) of NaH, washed beforehand in petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). A solution of ethyl bromoacetate (0.72 ml, 6.4 mmol, 2 eq) in 5 ml of DMF is added to the medium. The reaction is heated at 90° C. for 2-3 h. After cooling, water is added to the reaction mixture, which is then stirred for 15 min. The solution is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (7/3 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 890 mg (70%) of compound 11 and 318 mg (25%) of derivative 11a.

Compound 11:

m.p. 160-161° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) 1735, 1647, 1609 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 1.6 (t, 3H, J=7.1 Hz, COOCH₂CH₃), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.87 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.22 (q, 2H, J=7.1 Hz, COOCH₂CH₃), 5.10 (s, 2H, CH₂CO), 6.14 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.30 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.69 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.18 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 14.2, 44.8, 55.3, 55.5, 55.9, 61.6, 90.0, 92.8, 106.2, 113.5 (2), 126.6, 129.6, 130.1 (2), 131.0, 141.1, 157.8, 159.2, 161.9, 162.5, 168.4. MS (ionspray): m/z 398 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₂₃NO₆: C, 66.49; H, 5.83; N, 3.52. Found: C, 66.60; H, 6.03; N, 3.75.

Compound 11a

Ethyl 2-([5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinolinyl]oxy)acetate

m.p. 95-96° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) n 1754, 1622, 1516, 1265 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 1.27 (t, 3H, J=7.1 Hz, CH₃), 3.86 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.24 (q, 2H, J=7.1 Hz, OCH₂), 5.05 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 6.40 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.76 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.98 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.68 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.30 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 14.2, 55.3, 55.5, 55.7, 60.9, 62.7, 96.2, 98.6, 113.4, 113.7 (2), 121.7, 129.2, 130.6 (2), 132.8, 147.3, 156.3, 158.8, 159.1, 161.4, 169.5. MS (ionspray): m/z 398(M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₂₃NO₆: C, 66.49; H, 5.83; N, 3.52. Found: C, 66.63; H, 5.90; N, 3.60.

EXAMPLE 10 Methyl 3-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanoate (Compound 12)

1.0 g (3.2 mmol) of compound 1 is dissolved in 20 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of 2.9 ml of methyl acrylate (32.0 mmol, 10 eq), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 2-3 drops of Triton B are added to the reaction solution. The mixture is stirred for 4 h at room temperature. The DMF and methyl acrylate are evaporated off under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is taken up in ethyl acetate and washed twice with water. The organic phase obtained is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (8/2 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 1.06 g (83%) of compound 12.

m.p. 100-101° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) 1725, 1638 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.78 (t, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.68 (s, 3H, COOCH₃), 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.88 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.57 (t, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, CH₂), 6.26 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.46 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.92 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.66 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.11 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 31.9, 39.1, 51.8, 55.2, 55.5, 55.7, 89.8, 92.6, 106.2, 113.4 (2), 126.5, 129.5, 129.9 (2), 130.3, 140.5, 157.6, 159.0, 161.7, 162.4, 172.0. MS (ionspray): m/z 398 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₂₃NO₆: C, 66.49; H, 5.83; N, 3.52. Found: C, 66.55; H, 5.70; N, 3.50.

EXAMPLE 11 Benzyl 2-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]acetate (Compound 13)

300 mg (0.96 mmol) of compound 1 are dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 35 mg (1.40 mmol, 1.5 eq) of NaH, washed beforehand in petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). A solution of benzyl bromoacetate (0.31 ml, 1.90 mmol, 2 eq) diluted in 5 ml of DMF is added to the medium. The reaction is heated at 90° C. for 2 h. After cooling, water is added to the reaction mixture, which is then stirred for 15 min. The solution is extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: CH₂Cl₂) to give 317 mg (72%) of compound 13 and 88 mg (20%) of derivative 13a.

Compound 13:

m.p. 199-200° C. (Et₂O wash); IR (KBr) 1748, 1642, 1617 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.68 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.16 (s, 2H, CH₂), 5.21 (s, 2H, CH₂), 6.03 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.27 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.25-7.32 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)), 7.68 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.17 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 44.7, 55.3, 55.4, 55.8, 67.1, 89.8, 93.0, 106.2, 113.5 (2), 126.5, 128.3 (2), 128.4, 128.5 (2), 129.5, 130.1 (2), 131.1, 135.3, 141.0, 157.8, 159.2, 161.8, 162.4, 168.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 460 (M+1)⁺;

Compound 13a:

Benzyl 2-([5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinolinyl]oxy)acetate

m.p. 114-115° C. (ether); IR (KBr) n 1761, 1621, 1517 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃) d 3.87 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.95 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.17 (s, 2H, OCH₂), 5.27 (s, 2H, OCH₂), 6.44 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.76 (d, 2H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.00 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.26-7.38 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)), 7.71 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.36 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃) d 55.2, 55.4, 55.5, 62.6, 66.4, 96.2, 98.5, 113.4, 113.6 (2), 121.6, 128.0 (2), 128.4 (3), 129.0, 130.5 (2), 132.7, 135.6, 147.2, 156.1, 158.6, 159.0, 161.3, 169.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 460 (M+1)⁺.

EXAMPLE 12 2-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]acetic Acid (Compound 14)

1.0 g (2.2 mmol) of benzyl ester 13 is dissolved in dioxane (30 ml) in a round-bottomed flask. 10% palladium-on-charcoal (100 mg) is added to the reaction solution. The debenzylation reaction is carried out using Parr apparatus under 40 psi of hydrogen at room temperature for 4 h. The reaction medium is filtered through Celite and the filtrate is evaporated under reduced pressure. The crystalline product obtained is washed with ether to give 764 mg (95%) of compound 14.

m.p. 179-180° C. (Et₂O wash); IR (KBr) 1732, 1614, 1583 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.77 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.02 (s, 2H, CH₂), 6.46 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.47 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.93 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.62 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.03 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d: 44.9, 55.5, 56.1, 56.6, 91.3, 93.3, 105.3, 113.8 (2), 125.7, 129.4, 130.1 (2), 130.4, 141.3, 157.6, 159.1, 161.3, 162.8, 170.1. MS (ionspray): m/z 370 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₀H₁₉NO₆: C, 65.03; H, 5.18; N, 3.79. Found: C, 65.00; H, 5.25; N, 3.85.

EXAMPLE 13 Benzyl 3-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanoate (Compound 15)

150 mg (0.48 mmol) of compound 1 are dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of 782 mg (4.8 mmol, 10 eq) of benzyl acrylate, under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 2-3 drops of Triton B are added to the reaction solution. The solution is stirred for 18 h at room temperature. The solvents are evaporated off under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is taken up in ethyl acetate and washed twice with water. The organic phase obtained is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (4/6 EtOAc/PE) to give 200 mg (88%) of compound 15.

m.p. 124-125° C. (Et₂O/PE); IR (KBr) 1731, 1635, 1600 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.86 (t, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, COCH₂), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.63 (t, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, NCH₂), 5.14 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 6.29 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.49 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.30-7.35 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)), 7.68 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.13 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃) d 32.2, 39.1, 55.2, 55.4, 55.7, 66.5, 89.7, 92.6, 106.2, 113.4 (2), 126.5, 128.1 (2), 128.2, 128.4 (2), 129.5, 129.9 (2), 130.4, 135.5, 140.5, 157.6, 159.0, 161.7, 162.4, 171.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 474 (M+1)⁺;

EXAMPLE 14 3-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanoic Acid (Compound 16)

1.0 g (2.1 mmol) of benzyl ester 15 is dissolved in dioxane (30 ml) in a round-bottomed flask. 10% palladium-on-charcoal (100 mg) is added to the reaction solution. The debenzylation reaction is carried out using Parr apparatus under 40 psi of hydrogen for 48 h. The reaction medium is filtered through Celite and the filtrate is evaporated under reduced pressure to give, after washing with ether, 780 mg (97%) of compound 16.

m.p. 194-195° C. (Et₂O wash); IR (KBr) 1724, 1637, 1612, 1604 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 2.60 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, COCH₂), 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.48 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, NCH₂), 6.48 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.62 (broad s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.95 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.62 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.00 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d: 32.0, 38.9, 55.1, 55.7, 56.1, 90.6, 93.0, 105.0, 113.3 (2), 125.6, 129.3, 129.5, 129.8 (2), 140.5, 157.2, 158.7, 160.6, 162.4, 172.5. MS: m/z 384 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₁H₂₁NO₆: C, 65.79; H, 5.52; N, 3.65. Found: C, 65.60; H, 5.51; N, 3.70.

EXAMPLE 15 N,N-Diethyl-3-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanamide (Compound 17)

1.0 g (2.6 mmol) of compound 16 is dissolved in 25 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 353 mg (2.6 mmol) of hydroxybenzotriazole and 540 mg (2.6 mmol) of cyclohexylcarbodiimide are added to the reaction solution. The reaction is stirred for 10 minutes at 0° C., followed by addition of 0.26 ml (2.6 mmol) of diethylamine. The final solution is stirred for 2 h at 0° C. and then for 24 h at room temperature. The dicyclohexylurea is removed by filtration. The filtrate is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase collected is washed several times with water. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (7/3 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 680 mg (60%) of compound 17.

m.p. 137-138° C. (EtOAc wash); IR (KBr) 1636, 1617 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 1.07-1.21 (m, 6H, CH₃), 2.78 (t, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, COCH₂), 3.30 (q, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, NCH₂), 3.39 (q, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, NCH₂), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.94 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.65 (t, 2H, J=8.0 Hz, NCH₂), 6.29 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.73 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.67 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.15 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃) d; 13.1, 14.4, 31.0, 40.1, 40.5, 42.2, 55.3, 55.8 (2), 89.9, 93.1, 106.3, 113.5 (2), 126.6, 129.7, 130.0 (2), 130.5, 140.9, 157.6, 159.1, 162.1, 162.6, 169.9. MS (ionspray): m/z 439 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₅H₃₀N₂O₅: C, 68.47; H, 6.90; N, 6.39. Found: C, 68.27; H, 6.80; N, 6.40.

EXAMPLE 16 N,N-Diethyl-2-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]acetamide (Compound 18)

1.0 g (3.2 mmol) of compound 1 is dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 115 mg (4.8 mmol, 1.5 eq) of NaH, washed beforehand in petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). A solution of 2-chloro-N,N-diethylacetamide (0.88 ml, 6.4 mmol, 2 eq) diluted in 5 ml of DMF is added to the medium. The reaction is heated at 90° C. for 3 h. After cooling, water is added to the reaction mixture. The reaction solution is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase obtained is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (7/3 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 820 mg (61%) of compound 18 and 408 mg (30%) of derivative 18a.

Compound 18:

m.p. 178-179° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) 1642, 1617, 1601 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 1.10-1.23 (m, 6H, CH₃), 3.38-3.49 (m, 4H, CH₂), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.86 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.17 (s, 2H, NCH₂CO), 6.28 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.34 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.93 (d, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.66 (d, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.17 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 13.0, 14.2, 40.9, 41.6, 45.3, 55.3, 55.5, 55.8, 90.8, 92.8, 106.3, 113.4 (2), 126.6, 129.9, 130.1 (2), 131.0, 141.7, 157.6, 159.0, 161.9, 162.3, 166.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 425 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₄H₂₈N₂O₅: C, 67.91, H, 6.65; N, 6.60. Found: C, 67.62; H, 6.44; N, 6.50.

Compound 18a:

N,N-Diethyl-2-([5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinolinyl]oxy)acetamide (18a)

m.p. 146-147° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) n 1654, 1624, 1517 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 1.14 (t, 3H, J=7.5 Hz, CH₃), 1.28 (t, 3H, J=7.5 Hz, CH₃), 3.36-3.47 (m, 4H, NCH₂), 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.17 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 6.38 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.73 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.97 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.75 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.28 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 12.9, 14.2, 40.2, 55.2, 55.4, 55.6, 63.0, 95.8, 98.4, 113.3, 113.5 (2), 121.9, 129.2, 130.6 (2), 132.5, 147.3, 156.2, 158.9, 161.1, 167.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 425 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₄H₂₈N₂O₅: C, 67.91; H, 6.65; N, 6.60. Found: C, 67.85; H, 6.70; N, 6.51.

EXAMPLE 17 [5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]acetonitrile (Compound 19)

1.0 g (3.2 mmol) of compound 1 is dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 115 mg (4.8 mmol, 1.5 eq) of NaH, washed beforehand in petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). A solution of bromoacetonitrile (0.45 ml, 6.4 mmol, 2 eq) diluted in 5 ml of DMF is added to the medium. The reaction is heated for 3 h at 90° C. After cooling, water is added to the reaction mixture. The reaction solution is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (7/3 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 683 mg (61%) of compound 19 and 336 mg (30%) of derivative 19a.

Compound 19:

m.p. 208-209° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) 2216, 1660, 1607 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.94 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.95 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.29 (s, 2H, CH₂), 6.36 (s, 2H, H_(Ar)), 6.95 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.65 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.17 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 30.4, 55.3, 55.8, 56.0, 90.0, 93.5, 106.2, 113.6 (2), 114.8, 126.3, 129.0, 130.0 (2), 131.7, 139.8, 158.1, 159.4, 161.1, 163.0. MS (ionspray): m/z 351 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₀H₁₈N₂O₄: C, 68.56; H, 5.18; N, 8.00. Found: C, 68.30; H, 5.00; N, 7.90.

Compound 19a:

2-([5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinolinyl]oxy)acetonitrile (Compound-19a)

m.p. 149-150° C. (ether); IR (KBr) n 1623, 1586, 1516, 1265 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.87 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.95 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 5.17 (s, 2H, OCH₂), 6.45 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.87 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.99 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.54 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)) 8.34 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 50.1, 55.3, 55.6, 55.7, 96.9, 98.6, 113.8 (2), 113.9, 116.1, 121.3, 128.4, 130.5 (2), 133.5, 147.1, 156.3, 157.2, 129.3, 161.8. MS (ionspray): m/z 351 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₂₀H₁₈N₂O₄: C, 68.56; H, 5.18; N, 8.00. Found: C, 68.42; H, 5.03; N, 7.88.

EXAMPLE 18 3-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanenitrile (Compound 20)

500 mg (1.6 mmol) of compound 1 and 0.8 ml (12 mmol) of acrylonitrile are dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 2 drops of Triton B are added to the reaction solution. The reaction is monitored by TLC. At the end of the reaction, the solvents are evaporated off. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate and washed several times with water. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (7/3 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 365 mg (63%) of compound 20.

m.p. 156-157° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) 2241, 1639 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.88 (t, 2H, J=7.1 Hz, CH₂CN), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.94 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.59 (t, 2H, J=7.1 Hz, NCH₂), 6.33 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.45 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.95 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.66 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.17 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 15.9, 39.4, 55.3, 55.7, 55.9, 89.9, 93.0, 106.4, 113.6 (2), 117.7, 126.6, 129.2, 130.0 (2), 131.1, 140.5, 158.0, 159.3, 161.8, 162.7. MS (ionspray): m/z 365 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₁H₂₀N₂O₄: C, 69.22; H, 5.53; N, 7.69. Found: C, 69.40; H, 5.40; N, 7.80.

EXAMPLE 19 1-[2-(1H-1,2,3,4-Tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl]-5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 21)

350 mg (0.90 mmol) of compound 20 and 0.42 ml (1.53 mmol) of tributyltin azide are dissolved in 20 ml of anhydrous toluene, under an argon atmosphere. The reaction solution is stirred at 105° C. for 65 h. After cooling, the solvent is evaporated off under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (9/1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 333 mg (85%) of compound 21.

m.p. 234-235° C. (Et₂O wash); IR (KBr) 1618, 1594 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.33 (t, 2H, J=6.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.79 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.67 (t, 2H, J=6.0 Hz, CH₂), 6.48 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.52 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.96 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.59 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.01 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 21.4, 40.8, 55.1, 55.6, 56.1, 90.4, 93.0, 105.0, 113.3 (2), 125.5, 129.3, 129.6, 129.7 (2), 140.4, 153.7, 157.2, 158.7, 160.7, 162.4. MS (ionspray): m/z 408 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₁H₂₀N₅O₄: C, 61.91; H, 5.20; N, 17.19. Found: C, 62.00; H, 5.19; N, 17.30.

EXAMPLE 20 1-[3-(Dimethylamino)propyl]-5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 22)

1.0 g (3.2 mmol) of compound 1 is dissolved in 20 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 115 mg of NaH (4.8 mmol, 1.5 eq), washed beforehand in petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). A solution of 3-dimethylaminopropyl chloride (777 mg, 7.3 mmol, 2.25 eq) in 5 ml of DMF is added to the medium. The reaction is heated for 2-3 h at 90° C. After cooling, water is added to the reaction mixture, followed by stirring for 15 min. The solution is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (8/2 Et₂O/MeOH and then 9/1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 887 mg (70%) of compound 22 and 317 mg (25%) of derivative 22a.

Compound 22:

m.p. 94-95° C. (Et₂O wash); IR (KBr) 1635, 1598 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 1.91-2.04 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.28 (s, 6H, CH₃), 2.46 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz, CH₂), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.36 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz, CH₂), 6.29 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.54 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.68 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.13 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 25.5, 41.8, 45.6 (2), 55.4, 55.5, 55.8, 57.1, 90.3, 92.6, 106.4, 113.5 (2), 126.9, 130.0, 130.1 (2), 130.3, 141.1, 157.6, 159.1, 162.0, 162.3. MS: m/z 397 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₃H₂₈N₂O₄: C, 69.68; H, 7.12; N, 7.07. Found: C, 69.40; H, 6.97; N, 7.15.

Compound 22a:

N,N-Dimethyl-2-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinolyl]oxy-1-propanamide (Compound 22a)

m.p. 54-55° C. (ether); IR (KBr) n 1621, 1584, 1515 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 1. 96-2.07 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.26 (s, 6H, NCH₃), 2.47 (t, 2H, J=6.5 Hz, NCH₂), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.92 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.53 (t, 2H, J=6.5 Hz, OCH₂), 6.39 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.82 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.96 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.57 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.26 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 27.0, 45.4 (2), 55.2, 55.5 (2), 56.6, 64.2, 95.8, 98.5, 112.7, 113.4 (2), 121.9, 129.6, 130.5 (2), 132.1, 147.9, 156.2, 158.8, 160.2, 161.2. MS (ionspray): m/z 397 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₂₃H₂₈N₂O₄: C, 69.68; H, 7.12; N, 7.07. Found: C, 69.53; H, 6.92; N, 7.16.

EXAMPLE 21 1-[2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl]-5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 23)

250 mg (0.8 mmol) of compound 1 are dissolved in 15 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 29 mg (1.2 mmol, 1.5 eq) of NaH, washed beforehand in petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). A solution of 2-dimethylaminoethyl chloride (230 mg, 2.5 mmol, 3 eq) in 5 ml of DMF is added to the medium. The reaction is heated for 2-3 h at 90° C. After cooling, water is added to the reaction mixture, followed by stirring for 15 min. The solution is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (3/7 Et₂O/EtOAc and then 9/1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 205 mg (67%) of compound 23 and 92 mg (30%) of derivative 23a.

Compound 23:

m.p. 113-114° C. (Et₂O wash); IR (KBr) 1645, 1617, 1604 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.39 (s, 6H, CH₃), 2.65 (t, 2H, J=7.8 Hz, CH₂), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.91 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.44 (t, 2H, J=7.8 Hz, CH₂), 6.28 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.49 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.67 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.12 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 41.6, 45.8 (2), 55.3, 55.6, 55.8 (2), 90.1, 92.7, 106.4, 113.5 (2), 126.9, 129.8, 130.1 (2), 130.4, 141.1, 157.7, 159.1, 161.9, 162.4. MS (ionspray): m/z 383 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₂₆N₂O₄: C, 69.09; H, 6.85; N, 7.32. Found: C, 69.37; H.,6.98; N, 7.51.

Compound 23a:

N,N-Dimethyl-2-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinolyl]oxy-1-ethanamine

m.p. 49-50° C. (ether wash); IR (KBr) n 1621, 1584, 1515 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.31 (s, 6H, NCH₃), 2.77 (t, 2H, J=6.0 Hz, NCH₂), 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.62 (t, 2H, J=6.0 Hz, OCH₂), 6.39 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.81 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.58 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.25 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 45.7 (2), 55.3, 55.5 (2), 57.8, 63.8, 95.9, 98.5, 112.9, 113.4 (2), 122.0, 129.5, 130.6 (2), 132.3, 147.8, 156.3, 158.9, 160.0, 161.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 383 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₂₆NO₄: C, 69.09; H, 6.85; N, 7.32. Found: C, 69.30; H, 6.70; N, 7.29.

EXAMPLE 22 8,10-Dimethoxy-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H,5H-pyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-1,5-dione (Compound 24)

63 mg of P₂O₅ and 500 mg of PPA are introduced into a round-bottomed flask and the mixture is then stirred for 1 h at 120° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. Compound 16 (100 mg, 0.26 mmol) is added and the reaction is then stirred for 45 min at 120° C. After cooling, 2N sodium hydroxide solution is added until a pH=6-7 is obtained. The crude product is extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (98/2 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH) to give 62 mg (65%) of compound 24.

m.p. 240-241° C. (CH₂Cl₂/PE); IR (KBr)1678, 1649, 1634 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.83 (t, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, COCH₂), 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.04 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.54 (d, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, NCH₂), 6.32 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)) 6.96 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.68 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.12 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 37.6, 40.3, 55.3, 56.1, 56.5, 88.9, 103.5, 104.8, 113.6 (2), 127.6, 129.0, 129.8, 130.0 (2), 142.9, 159.4, 161.6, 161.7, 163.7, 190.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 366 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₁H₁₉NO₅: C, 69.03; H, 5.24; N, 3.83. Found: C, 68.80; H, 5.34; N, 4.00.

EXAMPLE 23 a) 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)quinolium Iodide (Compound 25)

682 mg (2.0 mmol) of compound 10 are dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous THF, under a nitrogen atmosphere. At room temperature, 3.5 ml of methyl iodide (56 mmol, 28 eq) diluted in 5 ml of THF are added and the reaction is then stirred for 18 h under inert atmosphere. The precipitate observed at the end of the reaction is filtered off on a sinter funnel (washing with THF) to give 761 mg (79%) of compound 25.

m.p. 156-157° C. (THF wash); ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.44 (s, 3H, SCH₃), 3.88 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.02 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.28 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.03 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 6.70 (d, 1H, J=1.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.03 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.37 (broad s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 7.37 (broad s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 7.45 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.71 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃) d 20.8, 46.5, 55.4, 56.7, 58.5, 92.9, 101.0, 114.4 (2), 117.6, 125.8, 128.9, 130.7 (2), 135.9, 138.8, 144.2, 157.4, 160.3, 167.7. This compound is rapidly used in the next step.

b) 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone-2-phenylhydrazone (Compound 26)

200 mg (0.4 mmol) of compound 25 and 0.28 ml (2.8 mmol, 7 eq) of phenylhydrazine are dissolved in 5 ml of anhydrous ethanol, in a sealed tube. The reaction mixture is heated for 18 h at 90° C. After cooling, the ethanol is evaporated off under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and then washed twice with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in methanol, in which the final product precipitates. This product is isolated by filtration (MeOH wash) to give 102 mg (60%) of compound 26.

m.p. 148-149° C. (MeOH wash); IR (KBr) 3340, 1602, 1599 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.58 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.86 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.88 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.04 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.14 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.48 (broad s, 1H, NH), 6.56-6.67 (m, 3H, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.11 (t, 2H, J=7.7 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.28 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 7.28-7.34 (m, 2H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 33.3, 55.4 (2), 55.6, 89.6 (2), 111.6, 113.8 (2), 117.8, 125.9, 128.3, 128.9 (3), 129.5 (2), 130.5, 146.2, 157.2, 159.2 (2), 162.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 416 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₅H₂₅N₃O₃: C, 72.27; H, 6.06; N, 10.11. Found: C, 72.01; H, 5.86; N, 10.02.

EXAMPLE 24 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone-2-(2-pyridyl)hydrazone (Compound 27)

150 mg (0.31 mmol) of compound 25 and 237 mg (2.2 mmol, 7 eq) of 2-hydrazinopyridine are dissolved in 5 ml of anhydrous ethanol, in a sealed tube. The reaction mixture is heated for 18 h at 90° C. After cooling, the ethanol is evaporated off under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and then washed twice with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in methanol, in which the final product precipitates. This product is filtered off (MeOH wash) to give 75 mg (58%) of the orange-colored compound 27.

m.p. 182-183° C. (MeOH wash); IR (KBr) 3353, 1628, 1593 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.61 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.87 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.07 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.17 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 6.51-6.55 (m, 1H, H_(pyr)), 6.94-7.01 (m, 3H, H_(Ar)+H_(pyr)) 7.14 (broad s, 1H, NH), 7.32-7.36 (m, 3H, H_(Ar)), 7.48 (t, 1H, J=7.3 Hz, H_(pyr)), 7.91 (d, 1H, J=4.3 Hz, H_(pyr)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 33.2, 55.3, 55.4, 55.6, 89.7 (2), 104.7, 105.7, 113.4, 114.1 (2), 122.9, 129.0, 129.2 (2), 130.1, 137.5, 140.7, 143.7, 147.8, 157.3, 157.4, 159.2, 162.4. MS (ionspray): m/z 417 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₂₄H₂₄N₄O₃: C, 69.21; H, 5.81; N, 13.45. Found: C, 69.50; H, 6.04; N, 13.28.

EXAMPLE 25 a) N-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide (Compouund 30)

0.46 ml (4.1 mmol) of o-anisidine is diluted in toluene (7 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of 4-methoxyphenylacetyl chloride (0.63 ml, 4.1 mmol) in 5 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is taken up in petroleum ether, which causes precipitation of the desired product. The crystals thus formed are collected by filtration to give 1.0 g (91%) of compound 30.

m.p. 47-48° C. (toluene); IR (KBr) n 3375, 1667, 1597 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.68 (s, 2H, CH₂), 3.72 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.82 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.79 (dd 1H, J=1.5, 8.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.89-7.03 (m, 4H, H_(Ar)), 7.25 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.79 (broad s, 1H, NH), 8.33 (dd, 1H, J=1.5, 8.0 Hz, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 44.2, 55.3, 55.7, 109.9, 114.4 (2), 119.5, 121.0, 123.6, 126.6, 127.6, 130.7 (2), 147.8, 158.9, 169.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 272 (M+1)⁺.

b) 8-Methoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 31)

0.31 ml (4.0 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise to 1.75 ml (19 mmol, 7.5 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C. and then 723 mg of amide 30 (2.7 mmol) are added. The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and the reaction is then heated at 75° C. for 1.5 h. At the end of the reaction, this solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with 30% aqueous ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is dissolved in 4.75 ml of glacial acetic acid and 0.15 ml of water and the final solution is then refluxed for 3 h. The acetic acid is evaporated off. The residue is dissolved in water, neutralized with 25% sodium hydroxide solution and then finally extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, which causes precipitation of the final product. The crystals thus obtained are filtered off to give 75 mg (10%) of compound 31.

The overall yield for the synthesis carried out to obtain compound 31 is 9%.

m.p. 148-149° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1652, 1625, 1606, 1541 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.79 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.99 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.09-7.15 (m, 2H, H_(Ar)), 7.29 (dd, 1H, J=3.2, 6.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.74 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.03 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 10.90 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 55.2, 56.0, 110.5, 113.4 (2), 119.6, 120.0, 121.8, 127.9, 128.5, 129.9 (2), 131.6, 136.4, 145.3, 159.1, 160.7. MS (ionspray): m/z 282 (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₇H₁₅NO₃: C, 72.58; H, 5.37; N, 4.98. Found: C, 72.50; H, 5.50; N, 4.83.

EXAMPLE 26 a) N-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide (Compound 32)

1.0 g (6.5 mmol) of 2,5-dimethoxyaniline is dissolved in toluene (7 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of 4-methoxyphenylacetyl chloride (1.0 ml, 6.5 mmol) diluted in 5 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is taken up in a minimum amount of petroleum ether, which causes precipitation of the final product. The crystals formed are filtered off on a sinter funnel to give 1.83 g (93%) of compound 32.

m.p. 89-90° C. (toluene); ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.67 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.68 (s, 2H, CH₂), 3.75 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.53 (dd, 1H, J=3.0, 9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.71 (d, 1H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.92 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.25 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.82 (broad s, 1H, NH), 8.80 (d, 1H, J=3.0 Hz, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 44.2, 55.3, 55.7, 56.3, 105.5, 108.6, 110.9, 114.4 (2), 126.4, 128.3, 130.6 (2), 142.0, 153.9, 158.9, 169.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 302 (M+1)⁺.

b) 5,8-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 33)

0.31 ml (4.0 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise to 1.75 ml (20 mmol, 7.5 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C. and 813 mg of amide 32 (2.7 mmol) are then added. The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and the reaction is then heated at 75° C. for 1.5 h. After this period, the solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with aqueous 30% ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is taken up in 4.75 ml of glacial acetic acid and 0.15 ml of water and the final solution is then refluxed for 3 h. The acetic acid is evaporated off. The residue is dissolved in water, neutralized with 25% sodium hydroxide solution and then finally extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, which causes precipitation of the final compound. The crystals thus obtained are filtered off to give 378 mg (45%) of compound 33.

The overall yield for the chemical synthesis to obtain compound 33 is 42%.

m.p. 186-187° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1639, 1571, 1515 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.49 (d, 1H, J=8.7 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.84 (d, 1H, J=8.7 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.97 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.74 (d, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.19 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 9.25 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 55.2, 55.8, 56.2, 101.1, 109.7, 111.4, 113.6 (2), 128.7, 128.8, 130.0 (2), 131.4, 131.7, 139.4, 149.8, 159.5, 161.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 312 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₁₈H₁₇NO₄: C, 69.44; H, 5.50; N, 4.50. Found: C, 69.71; H, 5.59; N, 4.70.

EXAMPLE 27 5,7-Dimethyl-3-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 34) a) N-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenylacetamide (Compound 35)

1.0 g (6.5 mmol) of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline is dissolved in toluene (14 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of phenylacetyl chloride (0.86 ml, 6.5 mmol) in 10 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The. aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is crystallized from toluene to give 1.55 g (87%) of compound 35.

m.p. 109-111° C. (toluene); IR (KBr) n 3286, 1657, 1616 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.70 (s, 2H, CH₂), 3.74 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 6.21 (t, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.66 (d, 2H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.09 (broad s, 1H, NH), 7.30-7.40 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃) d 44.9, 55.4 (2), 96.8, 15 97.9 (2), 127.7, 129.2 (2), 129.5 (2), 134.3, 139.4, 161.0 (2), 169.1. MS (ionspray): 272 (M+1)⁺.

b) 2-Chloro-5,7-dimethoxy-3-phenyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline Compound 36)

0.64 ml (8.3 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise to 3.8 ml (41.0 mmol, 7.5 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C. and 1.5 g of amide 35 (5.5 mmol) are then added. The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and the reaction is then heated at 75° C. for 2.5 h. At the end of the reaction, this solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with aqueous 30% ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (eluent: 3/7 EtOAc/PE) to give 800 mg (49%) of compound 36.

m.p. 148-150° C. ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.93 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 6.51 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.97 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.40-7.54 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)), 8.36 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.9 MHz, CDCl₃): d 55.6, 55.8, 98.6, 98.8, 115.6, 127.9, 128.1 (2), 129.7 (2), 131.2, 133.9, 138.1, 149.2, 150.2, 156.1, 162.3. MS (ionspray): m/z 301 (M+1)⁺, 303 (M+3)⁺.

c) 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 34)

1.52 g (9.9 mmol) of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline and 2.30 g (12 mmol, 1.2 eq) of ethyl (α-formylphenylacetate are mixed together in a round-bottomed flask under a nitrogen atmosphere. The medium is stirred for 1 h at room temperature. A solution of trimethylsilyl polyphosphate (PPSE), freshly prepared from 4.56 g (0.03 mol) of P₂O₅, 10.9 ml (0.17 mol) of hexamethyldisiloxane and 50 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane, is added. The final mixture is maintained at 100° C. for 2 h. The heating is stopped and ice is then added to the reaction mixture. This mixture is then neutralized by addition of saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (portionwise addition, exothermic reaction). The product is extracted with dichloromethane (large amount to be used). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, which causes precipitation of the desired compound. The final product is isolated by filtration through a sinter funnel. After partial concentration of the filtrate, the final product reprecipitates. The solid is reisolated by filtration, this operation being repeated several times. Compound 34 (444 mg) is obtained in a yield of 16%.

m.p. 257-258° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1668, 1631, 1569, 1514 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.89 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.36 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.45 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.28-7.42 (m, 3H, H_(Ar)), 7.69 (d, 2H, J=7.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.00 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 11.81 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 55.5, 56.0, 90.0, 93.1, 104.5, 126.9, 127.3, 127.9 (2), 128.4 (2), 131.4, 136.7, 140.8, 156.8, 161.4, 162.2. MS (ionspray): m/z 282 (M+1)⁺. Anal. calculated for C₁₇H₁₅NO₃: C, 72.58; H, 5.37; N, 4.98. Found: C, 72.29; H, 5.20; N, 5.10.

EXAMPLE 28 a) N-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-2-phenylacetamide (Compound 37)

1.37 ml (0.01 mmol) of o-anisidine are dissolved in toluene (14 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of phenylacetyl chloride (1.62 ml, 0.01 mmol) in 5 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is dissolved in a minimum amount of toluene, which causes precipitation of the final product. After filtration through a sinter funnel, 2.7 g (92%) of compound 37 are isolated.

m.p. 80-81° C. (toluene) [m.p. 85° C.; C. Yamagami et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1984, 32, 5003-5009]; IR (KBr) n 3287, 1652, 1598 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.72 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.76 (s, 2H, CH₂), 6.81 (dd, 1H, J=8.0, 1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.91-7.05 (m, 2H, H_(Ar)), 7.21-7.37 (m, 4H, H_(Ar)), 7.80 (broad s, 1H, NH), 8.35 (dd, 1H, J=8.0, 1.8 Hz, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 45.2, 55.7, 109.9, 119.5, 121.1, 123.7, 127.4, 127.6, 129.0 (2), 129.6 (2), 134.6, 147.8, 168.8. MS (ionspray): m/z 242 (M+1)⁺.

b) 8-Methoxy-3-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 38)

1.3 ml (1.68 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethylformamide are added dropwise to 7.3 ml (78 mmol, 7 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C. and 2.7 g of amide 37 (0.01 mmol) are then added. The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and the reaction is then heated at 75° C. for 1.5 h. At the end of the reaction, this solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with aqueous 30% ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (3/7 EtOAc/PE) to give 650 mg (21%) of chloro derivative. After dissolving this derivative in 3.8 ml of glacial acetic acid and 0.12 ml of water, the final solution is refluxed for 3 h. The acetic acid is evaporated off. The residue is dissolved in water, neutralized with 25% sodium hydroxide solution and then finally extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, which causes crystallization of the final product. The crystals thus obtained are filtered to give 237 mg (40%) of compound 38.

The overall yield for the synthesis carried out to obtain compound 38 is 8%.

m.p. 188-189° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1646, 1607, 1569 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 7.13-7.16 (m, 2H, H_(Ar)), 7.30-7.46 (m, 4H, H_(Ar)), 7.74-7.77 (m, 2H, H_(Ar)), 8.09 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 10.98 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 56.5, 111.3, 120.3, 120.4, 122.4, 128.3 (2), 128.4, 128.7, 129.2 (2), 132.6, 136.7, 138.2, 145.9, 161.1. MS (ionspray): 252 m/z (M+1)⁺; Anal. calculated for C₁₆H₁₃NO₂: C, 76.48; H, 5.21; N, 5.57. Found: C, 76.23; H, 5.14; N, 5.70.

EXAMPLE 29 5,7-Acetoxy-3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 39)

200 mg (0.71 mmol) of compound 9 (CRL8321) are dissolved in acetic anhydride and pyridine (8 ml, v/v) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The medium is hydrolyzed by addition of water (10 ml) and then extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (1/9 EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂) to give 220 mg (76%) of compound 39.

m.p. 206-207° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr): n 1769, 1748, 1638, 1598, 1576, 1508 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.31 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.33 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.40 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.72 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 6.92 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.03 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.14 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.67 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.78 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 20.8, 21.0, 21.2, 30.5, 105.2, 110.2, 111.8, 121.4 (2), 129.7, 130.3 (2), 131.5, 134.2, 141.0, 148.8, 150.7, 151.9, 161.2, 168.6, 168.8, 169.6. MS (ionspray): m/z 410 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₁₉NO₇: C, 64.54; H, 4.68; N, 3.42. Found: C, 64.83; H, 4.85; N, 3.57.

EXAMPLE 30 3-[5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]butanenitrile (Compound 40)

400 mg (1.28 mmol) of compound 1 (CRL8246) are dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), under a nitrogen atmosphere. At 0° C., 47 mg (1.92 mmol, 1.5 eq) of sodium hydride, washed beforehand in petroleum ether, are added portionwise to the reaction solution (exothermic reaction). 4-Chlorobutyronitrile (0.23 ml, 2.57 mmol, 2 eq) and sodium iodide (20 mg) are added to the medium. The reaction is heated for 3 h at 90° C. After cooling and evaporation of the DMF, water is added to the residue. The aqueous solution is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (9/1 CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc) to give 151 mg (31%) of compound 40a and 161 mg (33%) of derivative 40.

Compound 40:

m.p. 157-158° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1639, 1609, 1597, 1575, 1517 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.10-2.21 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.52 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz, CH₂CN), 3.83 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.93 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.43 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz, NCH₂), 6.31 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.42 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.94 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.66 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.15 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 15.3, 23.6, 41.8, 55.4, 55.9, 56.0, 89.6, 93.1, 106.4, 113.6 (2), 119.5, 126.7, 129.6, 130.1 (2), 130.8, 140.7, 157.9, 159.3, 161.2, 162.8. MS (ionspray): m/z 379 (M⁺+1). Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₂₂N₂O₄: C, 69.83; H, 5.86; N, 7.40. Found: C, 69.61; H, 5.97; N, 7.32.

2-([5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-quinolinyl]oxy)-butanenitrile (Compound 40a)

Compound 40a:

m.p. 89-90° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1624, 1607, 1582, 1515 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.12-2.22 (m, 2H, CH₂), 2.50 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, CH₂), 3.87 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.94 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.61 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, CH₂), 6.40 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.81 (d, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.97 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.53 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.27 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.9 MHz, CDCl₃): d 14.6, 25.4, 55.4, 55.7, 55.8, 63.6, 96.2, 98.6, 113.1, 113.7 (2), 119.5, 122.0, 129.5, 130.5 (2), 132.8, 147.9, 156.4, 159.1, 159.7, 161.6. MS (ionspray): m/z 379 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₂₂H₂₂N₂O₄: C, 69.83; H, 5.86; N, 7.40. Found: C, 69.99; H, 5.72; N, 7.60.

EXAMPLE 31 a) N-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)acetamide (Compound 41)

238 mg (1.6 mmol) of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline are dissolved in toluene (7 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of 4-benzylphenylacetyl chloride (0.5 ml, 1.7 mmol) in 5 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (4/6 EtOAc/PE) to give 300 mg (81%) of compound 41.

m.p. 122-123° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr) n 291, 1659, 1610, 1595, 1513 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.66 (s, 2H, CH₂), 3.74 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.75 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.08 (s, 2H, CH₂), 6.21 (t, 1H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.65-6.66 (m, 2H, J=2.2 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.00 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.08 (s, 1H, NH), 7.24 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.33-7.46 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 44.2, 55.5 (2), 70.2, 96.9, 98.0 (2), 115.7 (2), 126.6, 127.6 (2), 128.2,128.8 (2), 130.8 (2), 136.9, 139.6, 158.4, 161.1 (2), 169.7. MS (ionspray): 378 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₂₃H₂₃NO₄: C, 73.19; H, 6.14; N, 3.71. Found: C, 72.87; H, 5.97; N, 3.85.

b) 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 42)

0.31 ml (4.0 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise to 1.75 ml (19 mmol, 7.5 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C. and 1.02 g of amide 41 (2.7 mmol) are then added. The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and the reaction is then heated at 75° C. for 1.5 h. At the end of the reaction, this solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with aqueous 30% ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is dissolved in 4.75 ml of glacial acetic acid and 0.15 ml of water and the final solution is then refluxed for 3 h. The acetic acid is evaporated off. The residue is dissolved in water, neutralized with 25% sodium hydroxide solution and then finally extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, which causes precipitation of the final product. The crystals thus obtained are filtered off to give 200 mg (20%) of compound 42.

m.p. 234-235° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr): n 1629, 1608, 1569, 1515 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.15 (s, 2H, CH₂), 6.37 (s, 1H, He), 6.45 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 7.04 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.31-7.49 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)), 7.69 (d, 2H, J=7.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.97 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 11.76 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 55.4, 55.9, 69.2, 90.0, 93.0, 104.6, 114.3 (2), 126.4, 127.6 (2), 127.8, 128.4 (2), 129.2, 129.6 (2), 130.2, 137.1, 140.5, 156.6, 157.7, 161.5, 161.9. MS (ionspray): m/z 388 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₂₄H₂₁NO₄: C, 74.40; H, 5.46; N, 3.62. Found: C, 74.26; H, 5.67; N, 3.52.

EXAMPLE 32 a) N-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-phenylacetamide (Compound 43)

1.5 g (12.0 mmol) of p-anisidine are dissolved in toluene (7 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of phenylacetyl chloride (1.61 ml, 12.2 mmol) in 20 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (3/7 EtOAc/PE) to give 2.6 g (89%) of compound 43.

m.p. 118-119° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr): n 3290, 1650, 1603, 1545, 1513 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.72 (s, 2H, CH₂), 3.77 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 6.81 (d, 2H, J=9.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.00 (broad s, 1H, NH), 7.28-7.43 (m, 7H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): dδ. 44.8, 55.6, 114.2 (2), 121.9 (2), 127.7, 129.3 (2), 129.7 (2), 130.8, 134.7, 156.7, 169.1. MS (ionspray): 242 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₁₅H₁₅NO₂: C, 74.67; H, 6.27; N, 5.80. Found: C, 74.79; H, 6.14; N, 5.95.

b) 6-Methoxy-3-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 44)

0.96 ml (12.4 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise to 5.4 ml (58 mmol, 7.5 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C. and 2.0 g of amide 43 (8.3 mmol) are then added. The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and the reaction is then heated at 75° C. for 1.5 h. At the end of the reaction, this solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with aqueous 30% ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is dissolved in 12.2 ml of glacial acetic acid and 0.4 ml of water and the final solution is then refluxed for 3 h. The acetic acid is evaporated off. The residue is dissolved in water, neutralized with 25% sodium hydroxide solution and then finally extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, which causes precipitation of the final product. The crystals thus obtained are filtered off to give 585 mg (28%) of compound 44.

m.p. 243-244° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 1645, 1618, 1569, 1503 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 3.80 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 7.16 (dd, 1H, J=2.5, 8.9 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.28 (d, 1H, J=8.9 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.29 (d, 1H, J=2.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.34-7.47 (m, 3H, H_(Ar)), 7.76 (d, 2H, J=6.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.06 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 11.85 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 55.4, 109.4, 116.0, 119.5, 120.1, 127.8, 127.9 (2), 128.7 (2), 131.9, 132.9, 136.4, 137.2, 154.2, 160.6. MS (ionspray): m/z 252 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₁₆H₁₃NO₂: C, 76.48; H, 5.21; N, 5.57. Found: C, 76.16; H, 5.11; N, 5.66.

EXAMPLE 33 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-trifluoromethanesulfonylphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 45)

170 mg (0.55 mmol) of compound 8 are dissolved in triflic anhydride and pyridine (8 ml, v/v) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The medium is hydrolyzed by addition of water (10 ml) and is then extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (1/9 EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂) to give 194 mg (80%) of compound 45.

m.p. 144-145° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr): n 1646, 1618, 1602, 1504 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 3.75 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.94 (s, 6H, CH₃), 6.32 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.39 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.30 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.82 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.19 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 30.5, 55.8, 56.0, 90.4, 93.0, 106.0, 121.0 (2), 125.3, 130.9 (3), 132.1, 138.1, 148.9, 158.0, 161.8, 163.2. MS (ionspray): m/z 444 (M⁺+1).

EXAMPLE 34 5,7-Dimethoxy-3-(4-acetylphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (Compound 46)

200 mg (0.64 mmol) of compound 8 are dissolved in acetic anhydride and pyridine (8 ml, v/v) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The medium is hydrolyzed by addition of water (10 ml) and is then extracted with dichloromethane (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (1/9 EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂) to give 165 mg (73%) of compound 46.

m.p. 148-149° C. (EtOAc/PE); IR (KBr): n 1751, 1639, 1601, 1508 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.31 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.72 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 3.90 (s, 6H, CH₃), 6.28 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 6.34 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.13 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.75 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.15 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 21.3, 30.4, 55.7, 55.9, 90.3, 92.7, 106.0, 121.1 (2), 126.3, 130.1 (3), 131.4, 142.1, 150.1, 157.8, 162.0, 162.7, 169.6. MS (ionspray): m/z 354 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₂₀H₁₉NO₅: C, 67.98; H, 5.42; N, 3.96. Found: C, 68.23; H, 5.56; N, 3.79.

EXAMPLE 35 a) N-(4-Methylphenyl)-2-phenylacetamide (47)

1.0 g (9.3 mmol) of 4-methylaniline is dissolved in toluene (10 ml) at 0° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of phenylacetyl chloride (1.25 ml, 9.4 mmol) in 20 ml of toluene is added dropwise to the medium. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 h and the medium is then hydrolyzed with cold sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The two-phase system is stirred vigorously for 30 min and the organic phase is then collected. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (twice). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is purified by chromatography on a column of silica (3/7 EtOAc/PE) to give 1.9 g (92%) of compound 47.

m.p. 119-120° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr) n 3310, 1657, 1604, 1536, 1514 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃): d 2.28 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.70 (s, 2H, CH₂), 7.06 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.25-7.38 (m, 9H, H_(Ar)). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, CDCl₃): d 21.0, 44.9, 120.1 (2), 127.7, 129.3 (2), 129.5 (2), 129.6 (2), 134.2, 134.7, 135.2, 169.2. MS (ionspray): 226 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₁₅H₁₅NO: C, 79.97; H, 6.71; N, 6.22. Found: C, 80.23; H, 6.87; N, 6.11.

b) 6-Methyl-3-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone (48)

0.41 ml (5.3 mmol, 1.5 eq) of N,N-dimethylformamide is added dropwise to 3.3 ml (25 mmol, 7 eq) of POCl₃, under a nitrogen atmosphere and at −30° C. The medium is stirred for 15 min at −30° C. and 800 mg of amide 47 (3.5 mmol) are then added. The reaction mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring and the reaction is then heated at 75° C. for 1.5 h. At the end of the reaction, this solution is poured onto crushed ice, neutralized with aqueous 30% ammonia solution and then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated. The residue obtained is dissolved in 5.4 ml of glacial acetic acid and 0.2 ml of water and the final solution is then refluxed for 3 h. The acetic acid is evaporated off. The residue is dissolved in water, neutralized with 25% sodium hydroxide solution and then finally extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, which brings about precipitation of the final product. The crystals thus obtained are filtered off to give 80 mg (10%) of compound 48.

m.p. 212-213° C. (EtOAc); IR (KBr): n 1657, 1570 cm⁻¹; ¹H NMR (250 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 2.35 (s, 3H, CH₃), 7.25 (d, 1H, J=8.5 Hz, H_(Ar)), 7.33-7.48 (m, 5H, H_(Ar)), 7.51 (broad s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 7.76 (d, 2H, J=8.9 Hz, H_(Ar)), 8.02 (s, 1H, H_(Ar)), 11.87 (broad s, 1H, NH). ¹³C NMR (62.90 MHz, DMSO-d₆): d 20.5, 114.6, 119.5, 127.6, 127.8, 127.9 (2), 128.7 (2), 130.8, 131.5 (2), 136.4 (2), 137.4, 160.9. MS (ionspray): m/z 236 (M⁺+1); Anal. calculated for C₁₆H₁₃NO: C, 81.68; H, 5.57; N, 5.95. Found: C, 81.78; H, 5.39; N, 6.11.

Results of pharmacological tests demonstrating the properties of the compounds of formula I and Ia, either alone or in combination with cytotoxic agents, will be given below.

1—Interaction (Stimulation or Inhibition of Proliferation) With the Generation of Clonogenic Cells (Clonogenic Test)

The test used is that described by Hamburger et al. (Science, 1977; 197, 461-463) and Salmon et al. (New England J. Med., 298, 1321-1327). A cell is considered clonogenic if it has the capacity to proliferate and to give rise to a cell colony. “Human tumor stem cells” are the cells which are the source of the neoplastic cells which constitute a given tumor. These tumor stem cells are responsible for the relapse processes which may be observed after surgical resection of primary tumors and are also responsible for the formation of metastases. In a tumor or a tumor cell line, these clonogenic stem cells differ from the other cells of the tumor or from the neoplastic cell line under consideration in that they conserve their capacity to proliferate in the absence of any solid support.

In this test, the tumor cells are cultured on a semi-solid support consisting of agar. Only the cells which do not require a solid support on which to grow (i.e. the highly tumorigenic cells know as “anchorage-independent cells” by M. I. Dawson et al., Cancer Res. 1995; 55: 4446-4451; also known as clonogenic cells with reference to “clonal growth”) are capable of growing on such an agar-based support. Specifically, on such a medium, the normal cells—which grow in “adherent mode” (“anchorage-dependent cells” according to the terminology by M. I. Dawson)—such as, for example, the fibroblasts, do not survive. In a tumor cell population, cultured on such a support, it is these clonogenic cells (associated with an unlimited number of cell divisions and whose proliferation is referred to by M. I. Dawson as “anchorage-independent [clonal] growth”) which are capable of growing. The percentage of these clonogenic cells in a tumor or a cell line ranges between 0.1% and 0.001%. The non-clonogenic cells (associated with a limited number of cell divisions) do not grow in this test since they require a solid support on which to grow, which must take place in “adherent mode” (“anchorage-dependent [adherent] growth” according to M. I. Dawson et al., Cancer Res. 1995; 55: 4446-51).

The influence of the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) on the growth of the cell colonies obtained by culturing, for example, the mammalian tumor lines MCF7 and MXT and the colorectal line HT-29 on the semi-liquid culture medium known as “soft agar” was measured. On such a medium, only the clonogenic cells referred to by M. I. Dawson as “anchorage-independent (clonal) cells” survive and grow. The growth of these cells in such a “non-adherent” mode bears witness to their degree of tumorigenicity. The inhibition of the growth of the size of a tumor in which a larger number of clonogenic cells has developed then becomes the evidence of reinforced cytotoxic activity.

Conversely, this test can also reveal that a compound is capable of inhibiting the generation/proliferation of clonogenic cells, thus making the tumor less able to grow and thus reducing the population of tumor cells.

The tumor cell lines studied are maintained in culture in 25 cm² falcon dishes. They are then trypsinized and the cells are fully dissociated from each other. The percentage of live cells is determined after staining with trypan blue. A cell suspension at a concentration of from 5·10⁴ to 15·10⁴ cells/ml (depending on the cell type under consideration) is prepared in a 0.3% agar solution. Next, 200 μl of this suspension are inoculated in Petri dishes 35 mm in diameter, in which are placed 3 ml of a base layer consisting of a 0.5% agar solution. The 200 μl of cell suspension are in turn covered with 1.8 ml of an upper layer consisting of a 0.3% agar solution. The dishes are then placed in an incubator at 37° C., 5% CO₂ and 70% humidity until the treatment. This treatment is carried out about 1 to 2 hours after the inoculation. The test compounds are prepared at a concentration 100 times greater than the desired concentration and 50 μl of these treating solutions are placed over the upper layer of agar in the corresponding dishes. In the present study, the final concentration of the test products is 10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁷ and 10⁻⁹ M. The dishes are then kept in an incubator for 21 days. On the 21st day the dishes are treated by depositing on the upper layer 100 μl of a 1 mg/ml solution of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolinium bromide prepared with RPMI 1640 medium) for 3 h at 37° C. After this period, the cell colonies are fixed by adding 2 ml of formalin per dish. After fixing for 24 hours, the formalin is evaporated off and the number of stained cell colonies, thus consisting of metabolically active cells, and whose surface area is greater than 100 μm², is determined using an inverted microscope.

The average number of clones of clonogenic cells determined for each experimental condition studied is expressed as a percentage relative to the average number of clones of clonogenic cells counted under the control condition set equal to 100%. These values, expressed as a percentage relative to the control condition for all of the test products, are given in Table I.

TABLE I CLONOGENIC TESTS CELL LINES 10⁻⁵ 10⁻⁷ 10⁻⁹ 10⁻⁵ 10⁻⁷ 10⁻⁹ CRL8315 CRL8316 MCF7 119.6 ± 5.6   127 ± 8.8  157.1 ± 12.2 23.2 ± 1.8  84 ± 5  83.4 ± 4.6 * * ** *** * * HT-29 103.5 ± 4.5 111.9 ± 5.4 112.9 ± 2.4 50.6 ± 1.8  80.1 ± 2.9 101.6 ± 3.2 NS NS * *** ** NS MXT   76 ± 2.3 103.9 ± 4.3 102.4 ± 3.9 10.8 ± 0.5  89.1 ± 3.7  95.3 ± 3.8 ** NS NS *** NS NS CRL8246 CRL8256 MCF7 126.8 ± 9.9 145.7 ± 8.9 139.1 ± 6.6 51.6 ± 3.7  83.8 ± 3.4  97.9 ± 5.6 * ** ** *** * NS HT-29  70.9 ± 2.8 103.3 ± 3.6   104 ± 2.7 97.1 ± 4.3 100.5 ± 4.1 107.5 ± 3.7 ** NS NS NS NS NS MXT  96.7 ± 7.2  97.7 ± 9.3  95.2 ± 6.8   53 ± 1.9 103.8 ± 3.9 104.5 ± 4.7 NS NS NS *** NS NS CRL8247 CRL8283 MCF7  51.5 ± 2.8  81.9 ± 1.2  98.3 ± 4.2 56.5 ± 4.9 106.2 ± 4.8  97.4 ± 5.8 *** ** NS *** NS NS HT-29  72.7 ± 3.6  98.3 ± 4.9 104.5 ± 2.7 88.9 ± 0.2  90.9 ± 3.1 106.1 ± 1.4 ** NS NS ** NS NS MXT  65.7 ± 1.7  89.6 ± 4.9  98.4 ± 2.6 23.7 ± 1.4  81.2 ± 3    91.4 ± 4   *** NS NS *** ** NS Concentrations expressed in mol.1⁻¹ The results summarized in this table represent the average values ± standard error of mean (SEM) established on at least 6 cupules Control condition = 100% (NS: p > 0.05; *: p < 0.05; **: p < 0.01; ***: p < 0.001).

Thus, since they act on the clonogenic behavior of the tumor, the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia):

either increase (e.g.: CRL 8315)—relative to the reference situation [culture media not supplemented with the compounds of formula (I) or (Ia)] —the average number of clones of clonogenic cells, consequently making a larger number of the tumor cells sensitive to the cytotoxic agent (since the clonogenic cells are more sensitive to cytotoxic agents during their proliferation phase),

or reduce (e.g.: CRL 8283) the number of clonogenic cells by direct toxicity (resulting, here also, in regression of the tumor).

2—Cytotoxic Activity on Non-clonogenic Cells: “MTT Test”

The influence of the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) on non-clonogenic cells was evaluated with the aid of the MTT calorimetric test.

The principle of the MTT test is based on the mitochondrial reduction, by the metabolically active live cells, of the yellow-colored product MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) to a blue-colored product, formazan. The amount of formazan thus obtained is directly proportional to the amount of live cells present in the culture well(s). This amount of formazan is measured by spectrophotometry.

The cell lines are maintained as a monolayer culture at 37° C. in stoppered culture dishes containing MEM 25 MM HEPES (Minimum Essential Medium) base medium. This medium is suited to the growth of a range of various mammalian diploid or primary cells. This medium is then supplemented with:

an amount of 5% of FCS (Foetal Calf Serum) decomplemented at 56° C. for 1 hour,

0.6 mg/ml of L-glutamine,

200 UI/ml of penicillin,

200 μg/ml of streptomycin,

0.1 mg/ml of gentamicin.

The 12 human cancer cell lines which were used were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Rockville, Md., USA). These 12 cell lines are:

U-373MG (code ATCC: HTB-17) and U-87MG (code ATCC: HTB-14) which are two glioblastomas,

SW1088 (code ATCC: HTB-12) which is an astrocytoma,

A549 (code ATCC: CCL-185) and A-427 (code ATCC: HTB-53) which are two non-small-cell lung cancers,

HTC-15 (code ATCC: CCL-225) and LoVo (code ATCC: CCL-229) which are two colorectal cancers,

T-47D (code ATCC: HTB-133) and MCF7 (code ATCC: HTB-22) which are two breast cancers,

J82 (code ATCC: HTB-1) and T24 (code ATCC: HTB-4) which are two bladder cancers,

PC-3 (code ATCC: CRL-1435) which is a prostate cancer.

Experimentally: 100 μl of a cell suspension containing 20 000 to 50 000 (depending on the cell type used) cells/ml of culture medium are inoculated in 96-well flat-bottomed multi-well plates and are incubated at 37° C., under an atmosphere comprising 5% CO₂ and 70% humidity. After incubation for 24 hours, the culture medium is replaced with 100 μl of fresh medium containing either the various test compounds at concentrations ranging from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹⁰ M or the solvent used to dissolve the test products (control condition). After incubation for 72 hours under the above conditions, the culture medium is replaced with 100 μl of a yellowish solution of MTT dissolved at a rate of 1 mg/ml in RPMI 1640. The microplates are reincubated for 3 hours at 37° C. and are then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 400×g. The yellowish solution of MTT is removed and the blue formazan crystals formed in the cell are dissolved in 100 μl of DMSO. The microplates are then shaken for 5 minutes. The intensity of the resulting blue coloration, and thus of the conversion of the yellow product MTT into blue formazan by the cells that are still alive at the end of the experiment, is quantified by spectrophotometry using a Dynatech Immunoassay System machine at wavelengths of 570 nm and 630 nm corresponding, respectively, to the maximum absorption wavelengths of formazan and to the background noise. Software incorporated in the spectrophotometer calculates the average optical density values and the standard deviation (SD) and standard error of mean (SEM) values.

By way of example, the results of the average optical density, expressed as a percentage relative to the average optical density measured under the control condition (set equal to 100%), obtained at a concentration of 10⁻⁵ M on the 12 abovementioned tumor cell lines are given in Table II.

TABLE IIa CELL LINES 2-QUINOLONES U-87MG U-373MG SW1088 T24 J82 HCT-15 LoVo CRL8246 92.1 ± 1.5  96.6 ± 1.2 107.6 ± 1.1 109.4 ± 3.5 87.6 ± 2.2  97.2 ± 5.1 108.8 ± 7  * NS ** NS ** NS NS CRL8284 88.1 ± 2.2  87.7 ± 1.4  78.3 ± 1.6  68.5 ± 0.9 48.8 ± 0.7  77.3 ± 1.8 101.7 ± 1.3 * *** *** *** *** *** NS CRL8311 91.8 ± 1.3 113.3 ± 2.5  80.7 ± 1.7   90 ± 1.9  127 ± 1.9 101.2 ± 3.6  77.9 ± 1.7 NS ** *** ** *** NS *** CRL8271 78.5 ± 1.7  96.2 ± 1.6 102.2 ± 0.5 107.4 ± 2.3 75.9 ± 1.3  87.2 ± 2.8  94.2 ± 2.8 *** NS NS * *** ** NS CRL8244 97 ± 1   69 ± 0.9  81.3 ± 1.1  88.7 ± 2.9 88.5 ± 2.1  76.8 ± 3.0  78.2 ± 1.8 NS *** *** *** ** *** *** CRL8321 96.5 ± 1.2  97.1 ± 2.4  97.2 ± 1.8 103.1 ± 1.7 88.6 ± 0.9 118.3 ± 1.6 107.8 ± 1.1 NS NS NS NS *** *** ** CRL8245 58.6 ± 1.7  63.7 ± 2.7 75.1 ± 2   51.1 ± 1.9 31.1 ± 0.6  35.8 ± 1.2  65.5 ± 1.1 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** CRL8314 74.5 ± 3.4 89.2 ± 2   85.4 ± 2.5  61.9 ± 2.5 33.2 ± 1.2 116.5 ± 4.4  82.9 ± 2.5 *** ** *** *** *** * ** CRL8318 78.1 ± 2.4  89.9 ± 1.3 75.2 ± 3   81.8 ± 1.4 72.8 ± 1.2   113 ± 1.7  75.2 ± 2.3 *** ** *** *** *** *** *** CRL8317   91 ± 4.1  91.2 ± 1.9 103.4 ± 2.3  91.4 ± 4.3 83.6 ± 1.8 103.6 ± 2.6  86.8 ± 2.8 NS ** NS NS *** NS ** CRL8319  115 ± 2.9 101.7 ± 1.5  89.8 ± 2.7  89.6 ± 2.1 80.9 ± 1    96.7 ± 1.6  79.7 ± 2.7 * NS NS ** *** NS ** CRL8283 69.9 ± 3.4  93.4 ± 1.5  84.7 ± 3.1  72.9 ± 0.9 71.6 ± 2.2  58.2 ± 4.3  97.3 ± 3.6 *** NS ** *** *** *** NS CELL LINES 2-QUINOLONES MCF7 T-47D A549 A-427 PC-3 CRL8246  98.1 ± 1.4   96 ± 2.6   113 ± 2.1   101 ± 0.9 121.7 ± 1.7 NS NS *** NS *** CRL8284  66.6 ± 2.7  89.9 ± 1.9  91.7 ± 1.6   96 ± 2.0 83.8 ± 1 *** * ** NS *** CRL8311  98.8 ± 2.3 107.6 ± 6.6 106.1 ± 2.4  89.7 ± 2.0 122.1 ± 3.5 NS NS NS ** ** CRL8271 105.5 ± 2.3  90.9 ± 1.7  94.2 ± 4.7  84.1 ± 1.9   107 ± 2.7 NS ** NS ** NS CRL8244  75.9 ± 3.8  105 ± 3   98 ± 0.9  93.6 ± 2.3  83.2 ± 3.6 *** * NS NS ** CRL8321  96.6 ± 0.9  91.5 ± 1.2  99.4 ± 1.3   107 ± 1.4 102.2 ± 3.1 * ** NS ** NS CRL8245 46.9 ± 1   59.6 ± 2.9  74.1 ± 2.1   69 ± 1.9  74.4 ± 1.9 *** *** *** *** *** CRL8314 72.2 ± 2  113.5 ± 2.3  85.2 ± 1.4 104.4 ± 3.1  88.6 ± 1.4 *** * *** NS *** CRL8318   105 ± 2.4 100.3 ± 3.9  86.6 ± 2.5  74 ± 3  79.2 ± 2.8 NS NS ** *** *** CRL8317   96 ± 2.1   95 ± 2.5  94.7 ± 2.2 91.3 ± 2   97.9 ± 1.1 NS NS NS ** NS CRL8319 101.5 ± 2   104.5 ± 2.5  97.3 ± 1.2  79.1 ± 2.5  90.7 ± 3.6 NS NS NS *** NS CRL8283  76.2 ± 0.9   81 ± 3.1  63.6 ± 4.2  73.1 ± 1.7  92.4 ± 1.7 *** *** *** *** * x ± y = average value ± standard error of mean Control condition = 100% (NS: p > 0.05; *: p < 0.05; **: p < 0.01; ***: p < 0.001)

TABLE IIb CELL LINES 2-QUINOLONES U-87MG U-373MG SW1088 T24 J82 HCT-15 LoVo CRL8315 87.6 ± 4.5 68.9 ± 2.2 89.1 ± 0.6 89.6 ± 2.1 65.9 ± 1.3 87.9 ± 3.3 78.9 ± 2.1 * *** *** ** *** * *** CRL8254 105.1 ± 3.6   7.6 ± 1.3 128.3 ± 2.2  102.6 ± 2.9  87.8 ± 1   94.4 ± 3.5 91.8 ± 2.7 NS *** *** NS *** NS * CRL8255 72.5 ± 1.1 68.5 ± 2.7 67.5 ± 1.5 79.5 ± 2.2 36.2 ± 0.5 58.7 ± 3   56.9 ± 1.1 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** CRL8247   59 ± 2.3 68.7 ± 2.8 85.8 ± 3.6 77.8 ± 2.7   55 ± 2.3 87.4 ± 2.5 66.4 ± 2.5 *** *** ** *** *** * *** CRL8256 84.7 ± 1.7 76.1 ± 2.6 72.1 ± 3.3 78.2 ± 2.6 77.8 ± 0.8 73.9 ± 3.6   93 ± 2.3 *** *** *** *** *** *** NS CRL8316 74.3 ± 1.4 89.8 ± 2.9 106.6 ± 2     94 ± 3.2 26.9 ± 0.9 79.8 ± 2.9 73.9 ± 2.1 *** * * NS *** ** *** CRL8285 85.1 ± 2   96.9 ± 1.6 89.8 ± 2.7 72.7 ± 1.8 68.7 ± 2.9 90.6 ± 1.6 102.8 ± 3.1  ** NS * *** *** * NS CRL8270 75.6 ± 0.9 52.2 ± 3.2 50.7 ± 1.8 51.1 ± 3.8 42.5 ± 0.8 58.8 ± 1.8   80 ± 3.2 *** *** *** *** *** *** *** CRL8366 64.4 ± 1.2 66.3 ± 1.6 68.4 ± 1.6 84.6 ± 3   31.2 ± 0.7 76.1 ± 1.5 71.3 ± 4.5 *** *** *** * *** *** *** CRL8336 82.3 ± 1.8 82.3 ± 1.6 101.1 ± 4.3  88.2 ± 1.4 90.9 ± 0.9 93.1 ± 3.2 92.6 ± 3.4 *** *** NS *** ** NS NS CRL8330 86.6 ± 0.7 75.5 ± 3.7 73.3 ± 1.8 57.4 ± 2.3 70.5 ± 2.4 94.7 ± 2.1 59.9 ± 4.2 *** *** *** *** *** NS *** CRL8339 69.1 ± 2.1 73.6 ± 1.8 87.1 ± 2.6 87.4 ± 2   83.7 ± 0.6 65.5 ± 2.2 74.4 ± 1.8 *** *** ** ** *** *** *** CELL LINES 2-QUINOLONES MCF7 T-47D A549 A-427 PC-3 CRL8315 96.2 ± 1.7 101.3 ± 2.5  76.1 ± 2.4 92.6 ± 2.1 93.6 ± 3   NS NS *** * NS CRL8254 81.9 ± 0.6 55.2 ± 4.1 96.9 ± 1.5 20.2 ± 2.3 97.9 ± 1.2 *** *** NS *** NS CRL8255 71.5 ± 1.4 73.7 ± 3.3 79.1 ± 2.1 76.3 ± 1.5 77.7 ± 1.2 *** *** *** ** *** CRL8247 78.9 ± 1.1 58.3 ± 1.4 81.3 ± 1.9   57 ± 1.5 70.5 ± 4.6 *** *** *** *** *** CRL8256 81.8 ± 1.6 77.5 ± 3.6 56.5 ± 3.7 81.1 ± 2.9   86 ± 2.3 *** ** *** *** *** CRL8316 78.9 ± 4.0 68.8 ± 2.4 84.2 ± 1.9 79.1 ± 4.8 84.8 ± 2.3 *** *** *** ** ** CRL8285 83.7 ± 2.3 89.3 ± 1.7 92.5 ± 3.5 78.4 ± 1.6 93.4 ± 1.8 *** ** NS *** * CRL8270 51.5 ± 2.4 22.9 ± 4.3 52.2 ± 2.4 30.8 ± 2.1 49.4 ± 1.1 *** *** *** *** *** CRL8366 46.3 ± 2.6 25 ± 4 61.6 ± 3.5 45.2 ± 2.2 67.2 ± 0.9 *** *** *** *** *** CRL8336 73.9 ± 0.7 96.2 ± 2.9 114.2 ± 1.9  87.9 ± 3.1 91.7 ± 1.5 *** NS ** ** *** CRL8330 87.2 ± 3   77.6 ± 3   76.3 ± 2.4 59.8 ± 1   48.5 ± 2.1 ** *** *** *** *** CRL8339 82.7 ± 3.5   81 ± 2.8 49.6 ± 2.2 52.3 ± 2.3 84.3 ± 1.8 ** ** *** *** *** x ± y = average value ± standard error of mean Control condition = 100% (NS: p > 0.05; *: p < 0.05; **: p < 0.01; ***: p < 0.001)

It appears that several of the compounds induce a weak inhibition which can be up to 20-30% of the overall cell proliferation of the tumor lines under consideration and that these compounds do not appear to have any tissue specificity.

3.—Determination of the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD):

The evaluation of the maximum tolerated dose was carried out on 4- to 6-week-old B6D2F1/Jico mice. The compounds were administered intraperitoneally at increasing doses graduating from 2.5 to 160 mg/kg. The value of the MTD (expressed in mg/kg) is determined from the observation of the survival rate of the animals over a 14-day period after a single administration of the product under consideration. The weight change of the animals is also monitored during this period. When the value of the MTD is greater than 160 mg/kg, the MTD value is likened to 160 mg/kg by default.

The results of the estimation of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) are collated in the following table:

TABLE III Maximum tolerated doses CRL compounds MTD (mg/kg) CRL8246 (Example 1) >160 CRL8284 (Example 2) >160 CRL8311 (Example 3) >160 CRL8271 (Example 4) >160 CRL8244 (Example 5) >160 CRL8321 (Example 7) >160 CRL8245 (Example 8) >160 CRL8314 (Example 9) >160 CRL8318 (Example 10) >160 CRL8317 (Example 12) >160 CRL8319 (Example 14) >160 CRL8283 (Example 15) >160 CRL8315 (Example 16) >160 CRL8255 (Example 17) >160 CRL8247 (Example 18) >160 CRL8256 (Example 19) >160 CRL8254 (Example 20) >160 CRL8316 (Example 21) >160 CRL8285 (Example 22) >160 CRL8270 (Example 23) >160 CRL8266 (Example 24) >160 CRL8336 (Example 26) >160 CRL8330 (Example 27) >160 CRL8339 (Example 28) >160

The products of this family show no direct toxicity and can thus be used in vivo at high tissue concentrations, and thus at high doses.

4.—In Vivo Antitumor Activity in Combination With a Cytotoxic Agent

The tests were carried out on models of:

hormone-sensitive mouse mammary adenocarcinoma MXT (HS-MXT),

lymphoma P 388,

in the presence or absence of cytotoxic agents such as cyclophosphamide, etoposide, doxorubicin or vincristine.

When the MTD value of a product was determined, its in vivo antitumor activity was characterized at doses of MTD/2, MTD/4 and MTD/8 on the model of mouse mammary adenocarcinoma HS-MXT and on the model of lymphoma P 388. The dose which showed the best antitumor activity on these various models was selected and used in the context of combined treatments with the cytotoxic agents.

In all the examples presented below, irrespective of the model (mammary adenocarcinoma HS-MXT or lymphoma P 388), the control condition is represented by a batch of 9 mice to which is administered for 5 consecutive weeks and at a rate of 5 administrations (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) per week a volume of 0.2 ml of physiological saline containing the solvent used to dissolve the various compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) used.

The following parameters were determined in these tests:

i)—The survival rate of the mice

This survival rate was calculated in the form of a ratio T/C:

(Number of days (Median (Number of mice of survival of mouse which died in the the median treated) days preceding mouse in the that of the batch of mice median mouse tested) treated) T = + ---------------------------- (Number of mice which died on the same day as the median mouse treated) (Number of days (Median (Number of mice of survival of mouse which died in the the median treated) days preceding mouse in the that of the batch of median mouse control mice) treated) C = + ---------------------------- (Number of mice which died on the same day as the median control mouse)

This ratio represents the average survival time of the median mouse from the batch of treated mice relative to the average survival time of the median mouse from the batch of control mice. Thus, a molecule induces a significant (P<0.05) increase in the survival of the animals when the index T/C exceeds 130%. Conversely, it has a toxic effect when this value of T/C is less than 70%.

ii)—The tumor growth [lacuna] by measuring the area of the grafted HS-MXT or P 388 tumors twice a week (Monday and Friday). This area is calculated by multiplying the values of the largest two perpendicular axes of the tumor. The value of these axes is measured using a sliding caliper.

4.1. Mouse Mammary Adenocarcinoma (HS-MXT)

The model of hormone-sensitive MXT (HS-MXT) mouse mammary adenocarcinoma grafted onto 4- to 6-week-old B6D2F1/JIco mice is derived from the milk ducts of the mammary gland (Watson C. et al. Cancer Res. 1977; 37: 3344-48).

The results obtained using compounds 1 and 20, either alone or in combination with the cytotoxic agents, will be given by way of example.

A—Compound 1 or CRL 8246:

Treatments 1 and 1a

Compound 1 is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the seventh day post-grafting (D7) for four consecutive weeks at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) and at a dose of 20 mg/kg.

Treatment 2

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the fourteenth day post-grafting (D14) for three consecutive weeks at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and at a dose of 10 mg/kg.

Treatment 3

Compound 1 is co-administered with cyclophosphamide. In this case, the first injection of compound 1 is carried out on the seventh day post-grafting (D7) for four consecutive weeks at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) at a dose of 20 mg/kg, and the first injection of cyclophosphamide is carried out on the fourteenth day post-grafting (D14) for three consecutive weeks at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at a dose of 10 mg/kg.

Treatment 4

Etoposide (ETO) is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the fourteenth day post-grafting (D14) for three consecutive weeks at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and at a dose of 10 mg/kg.

Treatment 5

Doxorubicin (DOX) is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the fourteenth day post-grafting (D14) for three consecutive weeks at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and at a dose of 5 mg/kg.

Treatment 6

Compound 1 is co-administered with etoposide. In this case, the first injection of compound 1 is carried out on the seventh day post-grafting (D7) for four consecutive weeks at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) at a dose of 20 mg/kg and the first injection of etoposide is carried out on the fourteenth day post-grafting (D14) for three consecutive weeks at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at a dose of 10 mg/kg.

Treatment 7

Compound 1 is co-administered with doxorubicin.

In this case, the first injection of compound 1 is carried out on the seventh day post-grafting (D7) for four consecutive weeks at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) at a dose of 20 mg/kg, and the first injection of adriamycin is carried out on the fourteenth day post-grafting (D14) for three consecutive weeks at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at a dose of 5 mg/kg.

The results obtained regarding the survival time for compound 1 are given in Tables IV and V:

TABLE IV Treatments T/C (expressed as %) 1 (Compound 1) 100 2 (CPA) 122 3 (Compound 1 + CPA) 135

TABLE V Treatments T/C (expressed as %) 1a (Compound 1) 95 4 (ETO) 130 5 (DOX) 92.5 6 (Compound 1 + ETO) 150 7 (Compound 1 + DOX) 145

These results show that the co-administration of compound 1 with the cytotoxic agents: cyclophosphamide, etoposide or doxorubicin, significantly increases the average survival time of the median mouse from the various batches of mice thus treated, relative to the average survival time of the median mouse from the batch of control mice. Furthermore, this increase in the average survival time of the median mouse from the various batches of mice treated with these co-administrations is significantly longer than that obtained with the treatments involving these cytotoxic agents used alone.

The study of the tumor growth moreover revealed the following results for compound 1. Table VI below indicates, in percentages, the reductions (−) or increases (+) of the area of the HS-MXT tumors induced with the various treatments 1, 2 and 3 of Example 1, compared with the control condition on the 31st day after the tumor graft, i.e. after 19 administrations of compound 1 and 8 administrations of cyclophosphamide, used in co-administration or otherwise. On the 31st day post-grafting, 89% of the control animals are still alive (i.e. 8 out of the 9 animals).

TABLE VI Treatments Tumor area (expressed as %) 1 (Compound 1) −19.5 2 (CPA) −23.6 3 (Compound 1 + CPA) −49.6

The results show that the co-administration of compound 1 with cyclophosphamide induces a highly significant reduction in the growth of the HS-MXT tumors, which is greater than the reduction induced by the treatments involving compound 1 or cyclophosphamide used alone.

B—Compound 21 or CRL 8256:

Another example, relating to compound 21 used alone or in combination with etoposide.

Treatment 10

Compound 21 is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the 7th day post-grafting (D7) at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) for five consecutive weeks and at a dose of 40 mg/kg.

Treatment 20

Etoposide (ETO) is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the 7th day post-grafting (D7) at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for three consecutive weeks and at a dose of 10 mg/kg.

Treatment 30

Compound 21 is co-administered with etoposide. In this case, the first injection of compound 21 is carried out on the 7th day post-grafting (D7) at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) for five consecutive weeks at a dose of 40 mg/kg, and the first injection of etoposide is carried out on the 7th day post-grafting (D7) at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for three consecutive weeks at a dose of 10 mg/kg.

Table VII gives the survival time results obtained with compound 21.

TABLE VII Treatments T/C (expressed as %) 10 (Compound 21) 110 20 (ETO) 124 30 (Compound 21 + ETO) 138

These results show that the co-administration of compound 21 with etoposide induces a significant increase in the average survival time of the median mouse from the batch of mice thus treated, compared with the average survival time of the median mouse from the batch of control mice. Furthermore, this increase in the average survival time of the median mouse from the batch of mice treated with this co-administration is significantly longer than that obtained with the treatments involving this 2-quinolone or this cytotoxic agent used alone.

4.2. Lymphoma P 388

4- to 6-week-old CDF1 mice are grafted with a piece of P 388 tumor (from a tumor bank maintained in the laboratory) subcutaneously into the right flank on day D0. In order to be under conditions close to clinical reality, we waited until the 5th day post-grafting (D5) before starting the treatment. The reason for this was that, after this period of time, the subcutaneous P 388 tumors are palpable.

By way of example, the results obtained with compounds 1 (CRL 8246) and 20 (CRL 8247), alone or in combination with vincristine, are given below.

Treatment 1

Compound 1 is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the 5th day post-grafting (D5) at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) for five consecutive weeks-and at a dose of 40 mg/kg.

Treatment 2

Compound 20 is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the fifth day post-grafting (D5) at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) for five consecutive weeks and at a dose of 40 mg/kg.

Treatment 3

Vincristine (VCR) is administered alone. The first injection of the product is carried out on the fifth day post-grafting (D5) at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for three consecutive weeks and at a dose of 0.63 mg/kg.

Treatment 4

Compound 1 is co-administered with vincristine. In this case, the first injection of compound CRL8246 is carried out on the fifth day post-grafting (D5) at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) for five consecutive weeks at a dose of 40 mg/kg, and the first injection of vincristine is carried out on the fifth day post-grafting (D5) at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for three consecutive weeks at a dose of 0.63 mg/kg.

Treatment 5

Compound 20 is co-administered with vincristine. In this case, the first injection of compound CRL8247 is carried out on the fifth day post-grafting (D5) at a rate of 5 injections per week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) for five consecutive weeks at a dose of 40 mg/kg, and the first injection of vincristine is carried out on the fifth day post-grafting (D5) at a rate of 3 injections per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for three consecutive weeks at a dose of 0.63 mg/kg.

Table IX shows the results obtained with treatments 1 to 5 mentioned above, on the survival time of the mice.

TABLE IX Treatments T/C (expressed as %) 1 (Compound 1) 120 2 (Compound 20) 125 3 (VCR) 122 4 (Compound 1 + VCR) 144 5 (Compound 20 + VCR) 164

These results show that the co-administration of compounds 1 and 20 with vincristine produces a highly significant increase in the average survival time of the median mouse from the various batches of mice thus treated, compared with the average survival time of the median mouse from the batch of control mice. Furthermore, this increase in the average survival time of the median mouse from the various batches of mice treated with these co-administrations is significantly longer than that obtained with the treatments involving these two compounds 1 and 20 or vincristine used alone.

Examples of the method for using the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) in mono- or polychemotherapy protocols with cytotoxic agents will be given below. In these protocols, the compounds of formulae (I) and (Ia) 5 will be referred to for simplicity as “2-quinolone”.

A. Solid Tumors 1/ Lung Cancers 1.1. To Non-small Cells (Advanced Stage)

to the recommended protocol (T. Le Chevalier et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 360-367) are added intravenous infusions of a 2-quinolone:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₂₂, D₂₉ and D₃₆ infusion for 1 h navelbine  30 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂, D₂₉ and D₃₆ cisplatin 120 mg/m² i.v. D₁ and D₂₉

This cure is to be repeated 8 times.

1.2. To Small Cells (Advanced Stage)

to the recommended protocol CAV or VAC (B. J. Roth et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 282-291) are added infusions of 2-quinolone:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus doxorubicin 40 to 50 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus vincristine 1 to 1.4 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus (max 2 mg)

This cure is to be repeated 6 times every 21 days.

To the recommended Pt-E protocol (B. J. Roth et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 282-291) are added infusions of 2-quinolone.

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cisplatin 20 mg mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 20 to 60 minutes etoposide 80 mg/m²/day i.v D₁-D₅ infusion for 60 minutes

Each cycle is repeated every 21 days and the cure comprises 6 cycles.

1.3. Non-small-cell Bronchial Cancer, Locally Advanced or Metastatic

monochemotherapy:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅ and or 5-50 mg/kg/day then 1 week/rest infusion for 1 h gemcitabine 1000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅ and infusion for then 1 week/rest 0.5 hour

the cure being able to comprise repetition of this 4-week cycle.

gemcitabine/cisplatin combination:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h gemcitabine 1000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅ infusion for 0.5 hour cisplatin 20 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ infusion for 20-60 minutes

the cure comprising the repetition of this cycle every 21 days.

2/ Breast Cancers

CMF protocol as auxiliary treatment for operable breast cancer (G. Bonnadonna et al., N. Engl. J. Med.; 1976; 294: 405-410):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ to D₁₄ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁ to D₁₄ methotrexate  40 mg/m² i.v. D₁ and D₈ bolus 5-FU 600 mg/m² i.v. D₁ and D₈

each cycle is repeated every 28 days and the cure comprises 6 cycles.

AC protocol (B. Fisher et al., J. Clin. Oncol.; 1990; 8: 1483-1496) as an auxiliary treatment:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h doxorubicin  60 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus

each cycle is repeated every 21 days and the cure comprises 4 cycles.

Breast Cancers With Metastasis:

in the FAC protocol (A. U. Buzdar et al., Cancer 1981; 47: 2537-2542) and its various adaptations, the infusions of 2-quinolone are added according to the following (non-limiting) scheme:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v D₁-D₅ and or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ or infusion for 1 h D₁-D₅ 5-FU 500 mg/m²/day oral D₁ and D₈ or D₁-D₂ doxorubicin  50 mg/m² i.v. D₁ or D₁ and bolus D₂ cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m² bolus D₁ i.v. D₁ or oral

each cycle is repeated every 3 weeks until a new progression of the disease is diagnosed.

in the CAF protocol (G. Falkson et al., Cancer 1985; 56: 219-224):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₁₄ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₁₄ doxorubicin  30 mg/m² i.v. D₁ and D₈ bolus 5-FU 500 mg/m² i.v. D₁ and D₈ bolus

each cycle is repeated every 21 days until new progression of the disease is diagnosed.

in the CMF protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ and or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ bolus methotrexate  40 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ bolus 5-FU 600 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ bolus

this cycle is to be repeated every 3 to 5 weeks and the cure comprises 6 cycles.

In the CMF-VP protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 h D₁₅-D₁₉ D₂₂-D₂₆ cyclo- 2 to 2.5 mg/kg/day oral daily phosphamide methotrexate 25 to 50 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂ 5-FU 300 to 500 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂ vincristine 0.6 to 1.2 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂ prednisone 30 mg/m²/day oral from D₁ to D₁₀

this cure is to be repeated every 4 weeks.

In the FEC protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day and D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 h 5-FU 600 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ epirubicin  50 mg/m² i.v. D₁ cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m² i.v. D₁

this cure is to be repeated every 3 weeks.

in the MMC-VBC protocol (C. Brambilla et al., Tumori, 1989; 75: 141-144):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day and D₁₅-D₁₉ infusion for 1 h mitomycin C  10 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus vinblastine  50 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₁₅ bolus

this cure is to be repeated every 28 days until a progression of the disease is diagnosed.

in the NFL protocol (S. E. Jones et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 9: 1736-1739):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h mitoxantrone 10 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus 5-FU 1000 mg/m² i.v D₁-D₃ infusion for 24 hours leucovorin 100 mg/m² i.v. D₁ bolus

the cure comprises two cycles with an interval of 21 days and then requires an evaluation.

The infusions of 2-quinolone can also be combined with the treatment of breast cancers with metastases when a taxoid is used, for example:

with paclitaxel (F. A. Holmes et al., J. Natl Cancer Inst. 1991; 83: 1797-1805) in the treatment of the forms with metastases which may be resistant to anthracyclins:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h paclitaxel 175 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 3 to  24 hours

this cycle is repeated every 21 days until a new progression of the disease is diagnosed.

with docetaxel (C. A. Hudis et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1996; 14: 58-65), in locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, resistant or in relapse after cytotoxic chemotherapy (having comprised an anthracyclin) or in relapse during an auxiliary treatment:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h docetaxel 100 mg/m² i.v. D₁ or 60-100 mg/m² infusion for 1 hour (or 24 hours)

this cycle is repeated every 21 days for a cure of two cycles or until a progression of the disease appears.

in dose intensification protocols, combining a transplantation of autologous medullary cells and of peripheral blood stem cells, in consolidation of the primary treatment, for example:

CPB protocol (W. P. Peters et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1993; 11: 132-1143), in which the i.v. infusion of stem cells takes place on days D⁻¹, D₀ and D₁:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁶-D⁻¹ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 1875 mg/m² i.v. D⁻⁶ to D⁻⁴ infusion for 1 hour cisplatin 55 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁶ to D⁻⁴ continuous infusion for 24 hours carmustin 600 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻³ (BCNU) infusion for 2 hours

CTCb protocol (K. Antman et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 102-110), in which the i.v. infusion of stem cells takes place on D₀:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁷-D⁻¹ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m² i.v. D⁻⁷ to D⁻³ continuous infusion for 24 hours (4 doses) thiotepa 125 mg/m² i.v. D⁻⁷ to D⁻³ continuous infusion for 24 hours (4 doses) carboplatin 200 mg/m² i.v. D⁻⁷ to D⁻³ continuous infusion for 24 hours (4 doses)

CTM protocol (L. E. Damon et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1989; 7: 560-571 and I. C. Henderson et al., J. Cellular Biochem. 1994 (Suppl 18B): 95) in which the i.v. infusion of hematopoietic stem cells takes place on D₀

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v D⁻⁶-D⁻¹ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁶ to D⁻³ infusion for 1 hour thiotepa 150 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁶ to D⁻³ infusion for 2 hours mitoxantrone 10-15 mg/m² i.v. D⁻⁶ to D⁻³ infusion for 1 hour

3/ Gynecological Cancers 3.1 Ovarian Cancer

for the treatment of ovarian carcinomas, in particular metastatic ones:

i) PAC protocol (G. A. Omura et al. J. Clin. Oncol. 1989; 7: 457-465): the infusions of 2-quinolones are administered according to the following scheme:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cisplatin 50 mg/m² i.v. D₁ (or 40-90 mg/m²) infusion for 1 to 2 hours doxorubicin 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (or 30 to 50 mg/m²) cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 1 to 2 hours (or 200 to 600 mg/m²)

this cycle is repeated every 21 to 28 days and the cure comprises 8 cycles.

ii) Altretamine protocol, according to A. Marietta et al. (Gynecol. Oncol. 1990; 36: 93-96):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 h altretamine 200 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₁₅ divided into 4 doses

the cure comprising two cycles, with an interval of 28 days.

ii) Paclitaxel protocol: the 2-quinolones can be added to the paclitaxel protocol as described by W. P. McGuire et al. (Ann. Intern. Med. 1989; 111: 273-279):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h paclitaxel 135 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 3 hours or 24 hours

the cure comprising two of these cycles, with an interval of 28 days (with evaluation at the end).

for the treatment of metastatic and refractory ovarian carcinomas, the 2-quinolones may be added to the secondary protocol, based on topotecan:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h topotecan 1.5 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 0.5 hours

the cure comprising two cycles, with an interval of 21 days (with evaluation at the end) according to A. P. Kudelka et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1996; 14: 1552-1557).

3.2 Trophoblastic Tumors

in patients at low risk, the 2-quinolones may be combined with the protocol described by H. Takamizawa et al. (Semin. Surg. Oncol. 1987; 3: 36-44):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h methotrexate 20 mg/day i.m. D₁-D₅ (MTX) dactinomycin 0.5 mg/day as bolus i.v. D₁-D₅ (DACT)

(MTX-DATC protocol).

3.3 Uterine Cancers

the 2-quinolones may also be combined with the CAV (or VAC) protocol according to the scheme below:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 750-1200 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion doxorubicin  45-50 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion vincristine 1.4 mg/m² i.v. D₁

the cure comprising the repetition of this cycle every 21 days.

in the FAP protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h fluorouracil 600 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈ (5-FU) doxorubicin  30 mg/m² i.v. D₁ cisplatin  75 mg/m² i.v. D₁

the cure comprising the repetition of this cycle every 21 or 28 days.

4/ Testicular Cancers

The 2-quinolones may also be combined with testicular cancer protocols:

BEP Protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h bleomycin  30 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion etoposide 100 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion cisplatin  20 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅

the cure comprising 3 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle 10 every 21 days.

5/ Bladder Cancers

The 2-quinolones may be combined with the CISCA2 (also known as PAC) protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cisplatin 50 mg/m² i.v. D₁ cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion doxorubicin 75 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion

the cycle being repeated every 3 weeks.

In the MVAC protocol (according to C. N. Sternberg et al., J. Urol. 1988; 139: 461-469):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₁₈ infusion for 1 h D₂₂-D₂₅ methotrexate 30 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅, D₂₂ vinblastine 3 mg/m² i.v. D₂ or D₂, D₁₅, D₂₂ doxorubicin 30 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₂ cisplatin 70-100 mg/m² i.v. D₁ or D₂ infusion for 1 h

this cycle being repeated every 4 to 5 weeks, for a 10 minimum of 2 cycles.

6/ Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas/head and Neck Cancers

The 2-quinolones may be viably combined with polychemotherapy protocols used in the treatment of these cancers:

6.1 Nasopharyngeal Cancers

ABVD protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₀ infusion for 1 h or D₁₅-D₁₇ doxorubicin 30 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ or D₁₅ bleomycin 10 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ or D₁₅ vinblastine 6 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ or D₁₅ dacarbazine 200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ and D₈ or D₁₅

the cure comprising 1 to 6 cycles repeated at a rate of 1 cycle every 4 weeks.

6.2 Head and Neck Cancers With Metastases

in the Pt-FU protocol (e.g.: for pharyngeal cancers): according to the DVAL Study Group (New Engl. J. M. 1991; 324: 1685-1690):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cisplatin 100 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 1 hour fluorouracil 1000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ (5-FU) continuous infusion

the cure comprising two cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 3 weeks.

7/ Soft-tissue Sarcomas

The 2-quinolones may be introduced into a protocol such as the CYVADIC protocol:

according to H. M. Pinedo et al. (Cancer 1984; 53: 1825):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₀ infusion for 1 h D₁₅-D₁₇ cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₂ (Cy) vincristine (V) 1.5 mg/m²/day bolus i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅ doxorubicin (A) 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₂ dacarbazine 250 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ (DIC) infusion for 15 minutes

the cure comprising the repetition of this cycle every 4 weeks, first for 2 cycles.

8/ Hormono-refractory Prostate Cancer, With Metastases

In the VBL-estramustine protocol, according to G. R. Hudis et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 1754-1761):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃, D₈-D₁₀ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₁₇, D₂₂-D₂₄ infusion for 1 h D₂₉-D₃₁, D₃₆-D₃₈ vinblastine 4 mg/m²/day bolus i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂, D₂₉, D₃₆ estramustine 200 mg/m² tid oral every day for (600 mg/m²/day) 6 weeks

a treatment cycle lasting 6 weeks and being followed by a 2-week free interval.

9/ Germinal Cell Cancers

i) For tumors of favorable prognosis:

Pt-E protocol, according to G. J. Bosl et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1988; 6: 1231-1238)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cisplatin (Pt) 20 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 20 to 60 minutes etoposide (E) 100 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 1 hour

the cure comprising 4 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle 15 every 21 or 28 days.

ii) For tumors with metastases:

PEB protocol, according to S. D. Williams et al. (N. Eng. J. Med. 1987; 316: 1435-1440):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₉-D₁₁ infusion for 1 h D₁₆-D₁₈ cisplatin (P) 20 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 20 to 60 minutes etoposide (E) 100 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂, D₉, D₁₆ infusion for 1 hour bleomycin (B) 30U (or mg) day i.v. D₁-D₅ bolus

the cure comprising 4 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 21 days.

10/ Kidney Cancers

Metastatic renal carcinoma: the 2-quinolones may be introduced into the protocol described by M. J. Wilkinson et al. (Cancer 1993; 71: 3601-3604):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₈ infusion for 1 h floxuridine 0.075 mg/kg/day i.v. D₁-D₁₄ continuous infusion

the cure comprising 2 cycles with an interval of 28 days.

Nephroblastoma: the 2-quinolones may be introduced into the DAVE protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₀ infusion for 1 h dactinomycin 0.6 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈ doxorubicin 30 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈ cyclophosphamide 200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈ infusion for 1 hour

at a rate of one cycle every 3 to 4 weeks.

11/ Cancers of the Digestive Tract 11.1 Esophageal Cancers

the 2-quinolones may be introduced into the FAP protocol according to:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₀ infusion for 1 h 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₈ (5-FU) doxorubicin 30 mg/m² i.v. D₁ cisplatin 75 mg/m² i.v. D₁

this cycle being repeated every 3 to 4 weeks.

11.2 Stomach Cancers

in gastric carcinomas that are advanced and/or with metastases:

EAP protocol (according to P. Preusser et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1989; 7: 1310):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂-D₅, D₈-D₁₀ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h etoposide 120 mg/m²/day i.v. D₃, D₄, D₅ infusion for 1 hour or D₄-D₆ doxorubicin 20 mg/m²/day bolus i.v. D₁, D₇ cisplatin 40 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂, D₈ infusion for 1 hour

at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

FAMtx protocol: according to J. A. Wils et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 89: 827):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h fluorouracil 1500 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (5-FU) (F) 1 hour after methotrexate doxorubicin (A) 30 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁₅ methotrexate 1500 mg/m² i.v. D₁ (Mtx) infusion for 30 minutes

the cure first comprising two cycles, with an interval of 28 days.

in certain patients, this protocol or its variant (epirubicin replacing doxorubicin) may be used according to the following scheme:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h fluorouracil 1500 mg/m² i.v. D₁ (5-FU) doxorubicin (A) 30 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ = FAMTx or epirubicin 60 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ = FEMTx methotrexate 1500 mg/m² i.v. D₁ (to be infused before 5-FU) leucovorine 15 mg/m²/day oral D₂-D₄

12/ Colorectal Cancers

the 2-quinolones may be introduced into the FU-Levamizole auxiliary treatment protocol for colorectal cancer (according to C. G. Moertel et al., N. Eng. J. Med. 1990; 322: 352):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₂₉-D₃₁ infusion for 1 h 5-fluorouracil 450 mg/m²/day bolus i.v. D₁-D₅ 5-fluorouracil 450 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₂₉ levamisole 50 mg tid oral 3 days/week one week in two

the treatment in bolus with 5-FU being repeated every week after the induction phase D₁-D₅, for 52 weeks; the treatment with a 2-quinolone being repeated at the same rhythm, on the day of the bolus of 5-FU and then on the following 2 days.

for the treatment of colorectal cancer, which is resistant to treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and with metastases:

according to M. L. Rothenberg et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1996; 14: 1128-1135):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃, or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₀, infusion for 1 h D₁₅-D₁₇, D₂₂-D₂₄ irinotecan 125 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂

the cure comprising two cycles with an interval of 42 days.

13/ Kaposi's Sarcomas

the 2-quinolones may be combined with the two protocols using antracyclines formulated as liposomes:

i) protocol described by P. S. Gill et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1995; 13: 996-1003) and C. A. Presant et al. (Lancet 1993; 341: 1242-1243):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day and D₁₅-D₁₇ infusion for 1 h liposomal 20 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₁₅ daunorubicin infusion for 1 h

the cure comprising two cycles repeated with an interval of 28 days before evaluating the effects.

ii) protocol of M. Harrison et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1995; 13: 914-920):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h liposomal 20 mg/m² i.v. D₁ doxorubicin infusion for 30 minutes

the cure comprising two cycles repeated with an interval of 28 days before evaluating the effects.

14/ Metastatic Melanomas

the 2-quinolones may also be incorporated into combination protocols for treating metastatic malignant melanomas:

DTIC/TAM protocol: according to G. Cocconi et al. (N. Eng. J. Med. 1992; 327: 516), the cure comprising the repetition of 4 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 21 days, according to the scheme below:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h dacarbazine 250 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ (DTIC) infusion [15 to 30 min if central catheter] or [30 min if peripheral infusion in 250 ml] tamoxifen 20 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₅ (TAM)

the cure comprising 4 cycles at a rate of 1 cycle every 21 days.

15/ Neuroendocrine Carcinoma

2-Quinolones may be combined with the protocol described by C. G Moertel et al. (Cancer 1991; 68: 227):

Pt-E protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₃ 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h etoposide 130 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ infusion for 1 hour cisplatin 45 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂, D₃ infusion for 1 hour

the cure comprising two cycles repeated every 28 days.

16/ Pancreatic Cancer

Advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: the 2-quinolones may be combined with the treatment with gemcitabine, according to the protocol of M. Moore et al. (Proc. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 1995; 14: 473):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃, D₈-D₁₀, D₁₅, or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₂₂, D₂₉, D₃₆, D₄₃, infusion for 1 h D₅₇ gemcitabine 1000 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂, D₂₉, infusion for D₃₆, D₄₃, and then 0.5 hour D₅₇ and then once/week for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest and evaluation

B. Onco-hematology 1/ Acute Adult Leukemias 1.1. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

1.1.1. Linker Protocol

The 2-quinolones may be added to the linker protocols-induction chemotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy (see C. A. Linker et al. Blood 1987; 69: 1242-1248 and C. A. Linker et al. Blood 1991; 78: 2814-2822) according to the following schemes:

i) Induction chemotherapy:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂, or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₁₉ infusion for 1 h daunorubicin 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₂, D₃ every 24 hours (30 mg/m² in the patients >50 years old) vincristine 2 mg bolus i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂ prednisone 60 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₂₈ L-asparaginase 6000 U/m² i.m. D₁₇-D₂₈

ii) Consolidation chemotherapy (regimen A):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h daunorubicin 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₂ every 24 hours vincristine 2 mg bolus i.v. D₁, D₉ prednisone 60 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₁₄ divided into 3 doses L-asparaginase 12 000 U/m² i.m. D₂, D₄, D₇, D₉ and D₁₄

the consolidation cure A comprises 4 consecutive cycles such as that described above=cycles 1, 3, 5 and 7.

iii) Consolidation chemotherapy (regimens B and C): the regimens described below correspond to the consolidation cycles 2, 4, 6 and 8 (regimen B) and 9 (regimen C), described by C. A. Linker et al.:

Regimen B: Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h Ara-C 300 mg/m² infusion i.v. D₁, D₄, D₈, D₁₁ for 2 hours teniposide 165 mg/m² infusion i.v. D₁, D₄, D₈, D₁₁ for 2 hours (4 cycles)

Regimen C: Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h methotrexate 690 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₂ continuous infusion for 42 hours leucovorin 15 mg/m² every oral D₂-D₅ 6 hours

1.1.2. Hoelzer Protocol

The products claimed may be added to the cytotoxic agents of this polychemotherapy protocol (D. Hoelzer et al., Blood 1984; 64: 38-47, D. Hoelzer et al., Blood 1988; 71: 123-131) according to the following scheme:

i) Induction chemotherapy/Phase 1:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂, or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₁₉ infusion for 1 h daunorubicin 25 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂ vincristine 1.5 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂ (maximum 2 mg) prednisone 60 mg/m² oral D₁-D₂₈ L-asparaginase 5000 U/m² i.m. D₁-D₁₄ (maximum 2 mg)

ii) Induction chemotherapy/Phase 2:

Phase 2 of the induction may be carried out as follows:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂₉-D₃₃, D₃₆- or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₄₀, D₄₃-D₄₇ infusion for 1 h cyclosphosphamide 650 mg/m² i.v. D₂₉, D₄₃, D₈₇ (maximum 1000 mg) cytarabine 75 mg/m²/day i.v. D₃₁-D₃₄, D₃₈- infusion for D₄₁, D₄₅-D₄₈, 1 hour D₅₂-D₅₅ mercaptopurine 60 mg/m² oral D₂₉-D₅₇ methotrexate 10 mg/m²/day i.v. D₃₁, D₃₈, D₄₅, (maximum 15 mg) D₅₂

iii) Re-induction chemotherapy/Phase 1:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈- or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₂, D₁₅-D₁₉, infusion for 1 h D₂₂-D₂₆ doxorubicin 25 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂ dexamethasone 10 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₂₈ vincristine 1.5 mg/m²/day oral D₁, D₈, D₁₅ (maximum 2 mg) and D₂₂

iv) Re-induction chemotherapy/Phase 2:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₃₁-D₃₅, D₃₈- or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₄₂ infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide 650 mg/m² i.v. D₂₉ (maximum: 1000 mg) cytarabine 75 mg/m² i.v. D₃₁-D₃₄, D₃₈- D₄₁ thioguanine 60 mg/m² oral D₂₉-D₄₂

1.2. Acute Myeloid Leukemias

1.2.1. Treatment of Adults of Any Age

The 2-quinolones may be added, according to the scheme below, to the treatment incorporating the standard dose of cytarabine described previously by R. O. Dilleman et al. (Blood, 1991; 78: 2520-2526), Z. A. Arlin et al. (Leukemia 1990; 4: 177-183) and P. H. Wiernik et al. (Blood 1992; 79: 313-319):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₁₂ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cytarabine 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₇ in continuous infusion daunorubicin 45 mg/m²/day in i.v. D₁-D₃ or D₈- bolus (30 mg/m²/day D₁₀ if ≧60 years old) or mitoxantrone 12 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₃ as daily bolus or idarubicin 13 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₃ as daily bolus

1.2.2. Treatment of Adults Less Than 60 Years Old

i) Induction chemotherapy:

This induction cycle incorporates the administration of cytarabine at high dose according to the following scheme:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₁₀ 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h Ara-C 2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₆ (cytarabine) infusion for 2 hours, every 12 hours daunorubicin 60 mg/m²/day in i.v. D₄-D₆ continuous infusion for 24 hours or cytarabine 3000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₆ infusion for 1 hour, every 12 hours daunorubicin 45 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₇-D₉ every 24 hours

(in order to reduce the risk of C.N.S. toxicity, in the event of renal insufficiency, adjust the dosage of cytarabine to the creatinine clearance) according to L. E. Damon et al. (Leukemia 1994; 8: 535-541), G. L. Phillips et al. (Blood 1991; 77: 1429-1435) and G. Smith et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1997; 15: 833-839).

ii) Consolidation Chemotherapy:

The cycle described below will be repeated 8 times, at a rate of 1 cycle every 4 to 6 weeks (according to R. J. Mayer et al., N. Engl J. Med. 1994; 331: 896-903):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₅ 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cytarabine 3000 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₃, D₅ infusion for 3 hours, every 12 hours (4 cycles) and then cytarabine 100 mg/m²/day s.c. D₁-D₅ every 12 hours daunorubicin 45 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (4 cycles)

iii) Consolidation chemotherapy (with strong dose of cytarabine):

The cycle described below will have to be repeated twice and is suitable according to G. L. Phillips et al. (Blood 1991; 77: 1429-1435); S. N. Wolff et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1989; 7: 1260-1267); R. J. Mayer et al. (N. Engl J. Med. 1994; 331: 896-903):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₁₀ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cytarabine 3000 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₆ 1 hour every 12 hours daunorubicin 30-45 mg/m²/day i.v. D₇-D₉ bolus once/day

1.2.3. Treatment of Adults 60 Years Old or More

The substances claimed may be added to the consolidation chemotherapy protocols below:

i) according to R. O. Dilman et al. (Blood 1991; 78; 2520-2526), Z. A. Arlin et al. (Leukemia 1990; 4: 177-183), P. H. Wiernik et al. (1992; 79: 313-319):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₆ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cytarabine (Ara-C) 100-200 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₅ continuous infusion for 24 hours daunorubicin 30-45 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₂ bolus or mitoxantrone 12 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₂ bolus or idarubicin 13 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₂ bolus

ii) According to R. J. Mayer et al. (N. Engl. J. Med. 194; 331: 896-903):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₆ 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cytarabine 100 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₂ continuous infusion for 24 hours (4 cycles) and then cytarabine 100 mg/m² s.c. D₁, D₅ every 12 hours daunorubicin 45 mg/m²/day i.v. J₁ bolus (4 cycles)

iii) According to C. A. Linker et al. (Blood 1993; 81: 311-318), N. Chao et al. (Blood 1993; 81: 319-323) and A. M. Yeager et al. (N. Eng. J. Med. 1986; 315: 145-147):

This protocol comprises an autologous bone marrow transplantation (performed on day D₀):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D⁻⁷-D⁻² 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h busulfan 1 mg/kg qid oral D⁻⁷ to D⁻⁴ (16 doses in total) etoposide 60 mg/kg/day i.v. D⁻³ infusion for 10 hours or 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D⁻⁹-D⁻¹ 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h busulfan 1 mg/kg qid oral D⁻⁹ to D⁻⁶ cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg/day i.v. D⁻⁵ to D⁻² infusion for 1 hour

iv) In the case of HLA-compatible allogenic bone marrow transplantation, according to: P. J. Tutscha et at. Blood 1987; 70: 1382-1388, F. R. Applebaum et al., Ann. Int. Med. 1984; 101: 581-588:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D⁻⁷-D⁻¹ 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h busulfan 1 mg/kg qid oral D⁻⁷ to D⁻⁴ (16 doses in total) cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg/day i.v. D⁻³ to D⁻² infusion for 1 hour

2/ Chronic Adult Leukemias 2.1 Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

In the myeloblast phase, the 2-quinolones may be added to the HU-Mith treatment described by C. A. Koller et al. (N. Engl. J. Med. 1986; 315: 1433-1438):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₆ 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 h D₁₅-D₁₉ D₂₂-D₂₆ hydroxyurea 500 mg/day oral every day mithramycin 25 μg/kg/day i.v. daily for infusion for 3 weeks and then 2-4 hours 3 times/week

2.2. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

2.2.1 FCG-CLL Protocol

The 2-quinolones may be added to the “pulsed chlorambucil” combinations as described by E. Kimby et al. (Leuk. Lymphoma 1991; 5 (Suppl.) 93-96) and by FCGCLL (Blood 1990; 75: 1422-1425):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D_(5,) 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D_(12,) infusion for 1 h D₁₅-D₂₂ chlorambucil 0.1 mg/kg/day oral once/day or chlorambucil 0.4 mg/kg/day oral D₁ every 14 days and prednisone 75 mg/day oral D₁-D₃

2.2.2 Fludarabine-CdA Protocol

According to H. G. Chun et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 9: 175-188), M. J. Keating et al. (Blood 1989; 74: 19-25/J. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 9: 44-49) and A. Saven et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1995; 13: 570-574):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₈ 5-50 mg/kg/day (once/month for 6 infusion for 1 h to 12 cycles) fludarabine 25-30 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 30 minutes [every 4 weeks for 6 to 12 cycles] or cladibrine 0.09 mg/kg/day i.v. D₁-D₇ in continuous infusion [1 cycle every 28 to 35 days for 1 to 9 cycles (median: 4 cycles)]

3/ Lymphoproliferative Diseases 3.1 Hodgkin's Disease

The 2-quinolones may be incorporated into the polychemotherapy protocols used conventionally for treating Hodgkin lymphoma:

3.1.1 AVDB Protocol

According to G. Bonnadonna et al. (Cancer Clin. Trials 1979; 2: 217-226) and G. P. Canellos et al. (N. Engl. J. Med. 1993; 327: 1478-1484):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₃, 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₁₈ infusion for 1 h doxorubicin (A) 25 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅ bleomycin (B) 10 U/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅ vinblastine (V) 6 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅ dacarbazine (D) 375 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅

the cure comprising 6 to 8 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

3.1.2 MOPP/ABVD Protocol

According to G. Bonnadonna et al. (Ann. Intern. Med. 1986; 104: 739-746) and G. P. Canellos et al. (N. Engl. J. Med. 1993; 327: 1478-1484):

the MOPP protocol should be alternated with the ABVD protocol (cf. § 3.1.1) every 28 days, and the cure comprises 6 cycles:

MOPP protocol: Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D_(3,) 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₁ infusion for 1 h and D₁₄-D₁₇ mechlorethamine (M) 6 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₈ vincristine (O) 1.4 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₈ (no maximum) procarbazine (P) 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₁₄ prednisone (P) 40 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₁₄

3.1.3 Stanford V Protocol

According to N. L. Bartlett et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1995; 13: 1080-1088):

MOPP protocol: Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₅ 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 h D₁₅-D₁₉ D₂₂-D₂₆ doxorubicin 25 mg/m² i.v D₁, D₁₅ vinblastine 6 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅ (4 mg/m² during cycle 3 if ≧50 years old) mechlorethamine (M) 6 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ vincristine 1.4 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₂₂ (max. dose: 2 mg) [1 mg/m² during cycle 3 if ≧50 years old) bleomycin 5 U/m² i.v. D₈, D₂₂ etoposide 60 mg/m² oral D₁₅, D₁₆ prednisone 40 mg/m²/day oral once/week (weeks 1-9)

the cure comprising 3 cycles at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

3.1.4 EVA Protocol

According to G. P. Canellos et al. (Proc. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 10: 273):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h etoposide (E) 100 mg/m² infusion oral D₁, D₂, D₃ for 2 hours vinblastine (V) 6 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ doxorubicin (A) 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁

the cure comprising 6 cycles at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

3.1.5 B-CAVe Protocol

According to W. G. Harker et al. (Ann. Intern. Med. 1984; 101: 440-446):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h bleomycin (B) 5 U/m² bolus i.v. D₁ lomustine (CCNU) 100 mg/m² oral D₁ doxorubicin (A) 60 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ vinblastine (Ve) 5 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁

the cure comprising 8 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

3.2. Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

3.2.1. With a Low Degree of Malignance

i)—CVP protocol

According to C. M. Bagley et al. (Ann. Intern. Med. 1972; 76: 227-234) and C. S. Portlock et al. (Blood 1976; 47: 747-756)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide (c) 300-400 mg/m²/day oral D₁, D₅ vincristine (V) 1.4 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (max. 2 mg) prednisone (P) 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁, D₅

this cycle is repeated every 21 days up to the maximum response.

ii)—I-COPA protocol

According to R. V. Smalley et al. (N. Eng. J. Med. 1992; 327: 1336-1341)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m² day i.v. D₁ vincristine (O) 1.2 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (max. 2 mg) prednisone (P) 100 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ doxorubicin (A) 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ interferon-alpha (I) 6 MU/m² i.m. D₂₂-D₂₆

the cure comprises 8 to 10 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

iii)—Fludarabine-CdA protocol

According to P. Solol-Celigny et al. (Blood 1994; 84 (Supp. 1): 383a), H. Hoeschster et al.; (Blood 1994; 84 (Suppl. 1): 564a and A. C. Kay (J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 371-377)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₇ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h fludarabine 25 mg/m² day i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 0.5 hour or fludarabine 20 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ and cyclophosphamide 600-1000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁ or cladribine 0.1 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₇ infusion for 24 hours

for fludarine, each cycle is repeated every 28 days; For cladribine, each cycle is repeated every 35 days.

3.2.2. With an Intermediate Degree of Malignance

i)—CHOP or CNOP protocol

According to E M McKelvey et al. (Cancer 1976; 38: 1484-1493), J. O. Armitage et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1984; 2: 898-902), S. Paulovsky et al. (Ann. Oncol. 1992; 3: 205-209)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide (C) 750 mg/m² day i.v. D₁ doxorubicin (H) 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ vincristine (O) 1.4 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (max: 2 mg) prednisone (P) 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₅ (as 1 dose/day)

for the CHOP protocol

Mitoxantrone (N) may be used to replace (CNOP protocol) doxorubicin in patients over 60 years old (dose: 12 mg/m² as i.v. bolus on day D1 of each cycle).

The cure with the CHOP or CNOP protocol comprises 6 to 8 cycles at a rate of 1 cycle every 21 days.

ii)—MACOP-B protocol

According to P. Klimo et al. (Ann. Intern. Med. 1985; 102: 596-602) and I. A. Cooper et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 769-778)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₂₂, infusion for 1 h D₂₉-D₃₃ D₄₃-D₄₇, D₅₇-D₆₁, D₇₁-D₇₅ methotrexate (M) 100 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₈, D₃₆, D₆₄ then 300 mg/m² infusion for 4 hours leucovorin 15 mg qid oral D₉, D₃₇, D₆₅ doxorubicin (A) 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅, D₂₉, D₄₃, D₅₇, D₇₁ cyclophosphamide (c) 350 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₅, D₂₉, D₄₃, D₅₇, D₇₁ vincristine (O) 1.4 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₈, D₂₂, D₃₆, (max: 2 mg) D₅₀, D₆₄, D₇₈ prednisone (P) 75 mg/day oral every day for 12 weeks bleomycin (B) 10 U/m² bolus i.v. D₂₂, D₅₀, D₇₈

this treatment protocol spreads over 12 weeks and corresponds to 1 cycle.

iii)—VACOP-B protocol

According to J. M. Connors et al. (Proc. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 1990; 9: 254):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₂₂, infusion for 1 h D₂₉-D₃₄D D₄₃-D₄₇, D₅₇-D₆₁, D₇₁-D₇₅ etoposide (V) 50 mg/m² i.v. D₁₃, D₄₃, D₇₁ etoposide 100 mg/m² oral D₁₆, D₁₇, D₄₄, D₄₅, D₇₂, D₇₃ doxorubicin (A) 50 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₁₅, D₂₉, D₄₃, D₅₇, D₇₁ cyclophosphamide (c) 350 mg/m²/day i.v. D₈, D₂₂, D₃₆, bolus D₅₀, D₆₄, D₇₈ vincristine (O) 1.2 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₈, D₂₂, D₃₆, D₅₀, D₆₄, D₇₈ prednisone (P) 45 mg/m²/day oral 1/day for 1 week, then 4/day for the next 11 weeks

each cycle lasting 12 weeks.

iv)—m-BACOD/M-BACOD protocol

According to M. A. Shipp et al. (Ann. Int. Med. 1986; 140; 757-765) and A. T. Skarin et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1983; 1: 91-98)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₆-D₁₂ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₁₉ infusion for 1 h methotrexate (m) 200 mg/m² i.v. D₈, D₁₅ infusion for 4 hours or or (M) 3000 mg/m² i.v. D₁₅ infusion for 4 hours leucovorin 10 mg/m² qid oral D₉, D₁₆ (6 doses in total) or D₁₆ bleomycin (B) 4 U/m² bolus i.v. D₁ doxorubicin (A) 45 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ cyclophosphamide (C) 600 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ vincristine (O) 1 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ dexamethasone (D) 6 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₅

the cure comprising 10 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 21 days.

v)—ProMACE/CytaBOM protocol

According to D. L. Longo et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 9: 25-38):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₆-D₁₂ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide (C) 650 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 0.5 hour doxorubicin (A) 25 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ etoposide 120 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 1 hour prednisone (P) 60 mg/day oral D₁-D₁₄ cytarabine 300 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₈ bleomycin (B) 5 U/m² bolus i.v. D₈ vincristine (O) 1.4 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₈ methotrexate 120 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₈ leucovorin 25 mg/m² qid oral D₉ (4 doses in total)

the cure comprising 6 to 8 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 14 days.

3.2.3. With a Low or Intermediate Degree of Malignance

i)—ESHAP rescue protocol

In the event of a relapse or of a failure of the first line treatment, according to W. S. Velasquez et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 1169-1176)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h etoposide (E) 40 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₄ infusion for 2 hours methylprednisolone (S) 500 mg/day i.v. D₁, D₄ infusion for 15 minutes cytarabine (HA) 2000 mg/m² i.v. D₅ infusion for 3 hours cisplatin (P) 25 mg/m²/day bolus i.v. D₁-D₄ continuous infusion for 24 hours

the cure comprising 6 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

ii)—MINE rescue protocol

In the event of a relapse or of a failure of the first line treatment, according to F. Cabanillas et al. (Semin. Oncol. 1990; 17 (suppl. 10): 28-33)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day or i.v. D₁-D₅ 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h ifosfamide (I) 1330 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₃ infusion for 1 hour mesna (M) 1330 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₃ in the infusion of ifosfamide and then 266 mg/m² bolus 4 and 8 hours after each dose of ifosfamide mitoxantrone (M) 8 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 15 minutes etoposide (E) 65 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ infusion for 1 hour

this cycle being repeated every 21 days.

3.3. Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Burkitt's Lymphoma, Small-cell Lymphoma, Lymphoblast Lymphoma

3.3.1. Magrath Protocol

the products claimed may be combined with the Magrath protocols according to the following schemes:

i)—cycle 1

according to I. T. Magrath et al. (Blood 1984; 63: 1102-1111)

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 h cytarabine 30 mg/m intrathecal D₁, D₂, D₃, D₇ cyclophosphamide 1200 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ methotrexate 12.5 mg/m² intrathecal D₁₀ (max: 12.5 mg) methotrexate 300 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁₀-D₁₁ infusion for 1 hour and then 60 mg/m²/h infusion for 41 hours leucovorin 15 mg/m² bolus i.v. to be started qid 42 hours (8 successive after the doses) start of the administration of methotrexate

ii)—Cycles 2 to 15

According to I. T. Magrath et al. (1984) also.

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ or 5-50 mg/kg/day D₁₀-D₁₁ infusion for 1 h cytarabine 45 mg/m² intrathecal D₁, D₂ (cycles 2 and 3) D₁ (cycles 4 and 6) cyclophosphamide 1200 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ doxorubicin 40 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ vincristine 1.4 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (max: 2 mg) methotrexate 12.5 mg/m² intrathecal D₃, D₁₀ (max: 12.5 mg) (cycles 2 and 3) D₁₀ (cycles 4, 5, 6) methotrexate 300 mg/m² i.v. D₁₀, D₁₁ infusion for (cycles 2 1 hour and then and 6) 60 mg/m² D₁₄, D₁₅ continuous (cycles infusion for 7-15) 41 hours leucovorin 15 mg/m² bolus qid i.v. start at the (8 consecutive 42nd hour of doses) the treat- ment with methotrexate

the cure comprising 14 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 28 days.

3.4 Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia

3.4.1 CVP Protocol

according to the CVP protocol described by M. A. Dimopoulous et al. (Blood 1994; 83: 1452-1459) and C. S. Portlock et al. (Blood 1976; 47: 747-756):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cyclophosphamide (C) 300-400 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₅ vincristine (V) 1.4 mg/m²/day bolus i.v. D₁ (max: 2 mg) prednisone (P) 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₅

the cure being continued indefinitely (1 cycle every 21 days).

3.4.2 Fludarabine-CdA Protocol

According to H. M. Kantarjian et al. (Blood 1990; 75: 1928-1931) and M. A. Dinopoulous et al. (Ann. Intern. Med. 1993; 118: 195-198):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h fludarabine 25-30 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₅ infusion for 0.5 hour or 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₇ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h cladribine (CdA) 0.09 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₇ continuous infusion

the cure comprising 6 to 12 cycles with an interval of 28 days in the case of fludarabine and 2 cycles with an interval of 28 days also in the case of cladribine.

3.5 Multiple Myeloma

3.5.1 MP Protocol

According to R. Alexanian et al. (JAMA 1969; 208: 1680-1685), A. Belch et al. (Br. J. Cancer 1988; 57: 94-99) and F. Mandelli et al. (N. Engl. J. med. 1990; 322: 1430-1434):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h melphalan (M) 0.25 mg/kg/day oral D₁-D₄ prednisone (P) 100 mg/day oral D₁-D₄ or 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h melphalan (M) 9 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₄ prednisone (P) 100 mg/day oral D₁-D₄

the cure comprising at least 12 cycles, at a rate of 1 cycle every 4 to 6 weeks.

3.5.2 VAD Protocol

According to B. Barlogie et al. (N. Engl. J. Med. 1984; 310: 1353-1356):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h vincristine (V) 0.4 mg/day i.v. D₁-D₄ continuous 24-hour infusion doxorubicin (A) 9 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₄ continuous 24-hour infusion dexamethasone 40 mg/day i.v. D₁-D₄, (D) D₉-D₁₂, D₁₇-D₂₀

3.5.3 MP-interferon α Protocol

according to O. Osterborg et al. (Blood 1993; 81: 1428-1434):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h melphalan (M) 0.25 mg/kg/day oral D₁-D₄ prednisone (P) 2 mg/kg/day oral D₁-D₄ interferon-alpha 7 MU/kg/day s.c. D₁-D₅ and D₂₂-D₂₆

the cure comprising the indefinite repetition of this cycle, at a rate of 1 cycle every 42 days.

3.5.4 VCAP or VBAP Protocol

According to S. E. Salmon et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1983; 1: 453-461):

VCAP protocol:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 200-2000 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ or 5-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 h vincristine (V) 1 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ (max: 1.5 mg) doxorubicin (A) 30 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁ prednisone (P) 60 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₄ cyclophosphamide 125 mg/m² oral D₁-D₄ (C) infusion for 1 hour

VBAP protocol: the cyclophosphamide is replaced with carmustine (BCNU), the remainder being identical:

Dose Route Days carmustine 30 mg/m² i.v. D₁ infusion for 1 hour

C. TUMORS IN CHILDREN—Pediatric oncology

The isoflavones can also be incorporated into polychemotherapy protocols for treating pediatric tumors in order to improve the antitumor efficacy while at the same time reducing the severity of the side effects by virtue of the action on the recruitment and mobilization of the clonogenic cells and by virtue of the possibility of reducing the active doses.

1/ Ewing's Sarcoma/primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor

The 2-quinolones may be introduced into the VCR-Doxo-CY-Ifos-Mesna-E protocol (E. D. Berger et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1990; 8: 1514-1524; W. H. Meyer et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 1737-1742):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ and or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₂₂-D₂₇ and infusion for 1 h D₄₃-D₄₈ and D₆₃-D₆₆ vincristine 2 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₄₃ (maximum dose = 2 mg) doxorubicin 30 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃, in infusion for D₄₃-D₄₅ 24 hours cyclophos- 2.2 g/m² i.v. D₁, D₄₃ phamide in infusion for 0.5 hour ifosfamide 1800 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂₂-D₂₆ in infusion for 1 hour D₆₃-D₆₇ mesna 360 mg/m² i.v. administered in infusion for with cyclo- 15 minutes at a rate phosphamide of 5 doses every and ifosfamide 3 hours etoposide 100 mg/m² i.v. D₂₂-D₂₆ in infusion for 1 hour D₆₃-D₆₇

the cure comprises 6 to 10 of these cycles depending on the initial severity of the sarcoma and the amplitude of the response.

2/ Acute Pediatric Lymphoblast Leukemia 2.1. Induction Chemotherapy (Days D₁-D₃₀)

The 2-quinolones may be added to the recommended protocols (P. S. Gaynon et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 1993, 11, 2234-2242; J. Pullen et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1993; 11: 2234-2242; J. Pullen et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1993; 11: 839-849; V. J. Land et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 1939-1945):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₁, D₁₅-D₁₈, infusion for 1 h D₂₂-D₂₇ vincristine 1.5 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, (maximum dose D₂₂ ≈ 2 mg) L-asparaginase 6000 IU/m² i.m. 3 times/week for 3 weeks prednisone 60 mg/m² oral D₁ to D₂₈ in 3 doses/day daunorubicin 25 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁, D₈, in infusion for D₁₅ and D₂₂ 15 minutes methotrexate depending on the intra- D₁₅, D₂₈ age thecal cytarabine depending on the intra- D₁ age thecal

depending on the result of the bone marrow examination, passage to the consolidation phase takes place on day D₂₈ of the treatment protocol.

2.2. Consolidation/maintenance Chemotherapy

The 2-quinolones may be introduced into the maintenance protocol (P. S. Gaynon et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 1993, 11, 2234-2242; J. Pullen et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1993; 11: 839-849; V. J. Land et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 1939-1945) according to the following scheme:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₁₅-D₂₀ or 2-50 mg/kg/day and D₉₄-D₉₉, infusion for 1 h D₁₀₁-D₁₀₆ D₁₀₈-D₁₁₃, D₁₂₂-D₁₂₇ cyclophos- 1000 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₁₅, D₁₂₂ phamide in infusion for 0.5 hour L-asparaginase 6000 U/m² i.m. 3 times/week between D₉₇ and D₁₂₂ cytarabine 75 mg/m²/day i.v./ a sequence of in infusion for s.c. 4 days starting 15 minutes D₂, D₉, D₁₆, D₂₃, D₁₂₃, D₁ doxorubicin 25 mg/m²/day i.v. D₉₄, D₁₀₁, D₁₀₈ in infusion for 15 minutes mercaptopurine 60 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₉₃, D₁₄₃ to the end of the treatment methotrexate 20 mg/m²/day oral once/week between D₃₆ and D₇₂ and between D₁₄₃ and the end of the treatment prednisone 40 mg/m²/day oral 5 consecutive (divided into days per month 3 doses/day) between D₁₄₃ and the end of the treatment thioguanine 60 mg/m²/day oral D₁₂₂-D₁₃₅ vincristine 1.5 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₉₄, D₁₀₁, D₁₀₈, (maximum dose then once/month = 2 mg) between D₁₄₃ and the end of the treatment methotrexate depending on the intra- D₁, D₈, D₁₅, D₂₂, age thecal D₁₂₃, D₁₃₀ then once/3 months between D₁₄₃ and the end of the treatment

3/ Acute Pediatric Myeloid Leukemia

The 2-quinolones are added to the induction and consolidation/maintenance protocols according to the following schemes:

3.1. Induction Chemotherapy

According to Y. Ravindranath et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 9: 572-580; M. E. Nesbit et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 127-135; R. J. Wells et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 2367-2377):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₁₀-D₁₃ or 2-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 hour cytarabine depending on the intra- D₁ age thecal daunorubicin 20 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₄, D₁₀-D₁₃ in infusion for 24 hours cytarabine 200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₄, D₁₀-D₁₃ in infusion for 24 hours thioguanine 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₄, D₁₀-D₁₃ divided into 2 doses/day etoposide 100 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₄, D₁₀-D₁₃ in infusion for 24 hours dexamethasone 6 mg/m² i.v./ D₁-D₄, D₁₀-D₁₃ divided into oral 3 doses/day

this cycle being repeated from D₂₈.

3.2. Consolidation/maintenance Chemotherapy

According to Y. Ravindranath et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1991; 9: 572-580; M. E. Nesbit et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 127-135; R. J. Wells et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 2367-2377):

Dose Route Days cytarabine depending on the intra- D₁, D₂₈, D₅₆ age thecal 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₃, or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₂₈-D₃₃, D₅₆-D₆₁ infusion for D₈₉-D₉₄ 1 hour cytarabine 3000 mg/m² i.v. D₁-D₂, and D₈-D₉ in infusion for 3 hours every 12 hours L-asparaginase 6000 IU/m² i.m. D₂, D₉ 3 hours after cytarabine vincristine 1.5 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₂₈, D₅₆ (maximum dose = 2 mg) thioguanine 75 mg/m²/day oral D₂₈-D₈₄ cytarabine 75 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂₈-D₃₁, D₅₆-D₅₉ bolus cyclophos- 75 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂₈-D₃₁, D₅₆-D₅₉ phamide in infusion for 0.5 hour cytarabine 25 mg/m²/day sc/i.v. D₈₉-D₉₃ bolus thioguanine 50 mg/m²/day oral D₈₉-D₉₃ etoposide 100 mg/m²/day i.v. D₈₉, D₉₂ in infusion for 1 hour dexamethasone 2 mg/m²/day oral D₈₉-D₉₂ daunorubicin 30 mg/m² i.v. D₈₉ in infusion for 15 minutes

4/ Pediatric Hodgkin's Disease

The 2-quinolones may be added to the MOPP-ABVD protocol according to E. A. Gehan et al. (Cancer 1990; 65: 1429-1437), S. P. Hunger et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1994; 12: 2160-2166) and M. M. Hudson et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1993; 11: 100-108):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅ and or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₈-D₁₂ infusion for 1 hour mechlorethamine 6 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₈ (M) vincristine (O) 1.5 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₈ (maximum 2 mg) procarbazine (P) 100 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₁₄ prednisone (P) 40 mg/m²/day oral D₁-D₁₄ (divided into 3 doses/d) doxorubicin (A) 25 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂₉, D₄₃ in infusion for 15 minutes bleomycin (B) 10 U/m² i.v. D₂₉, D₄₃ in infusion for 15 minutes vinblastine (V) 6 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₂₉, D₄₃ (maximum 2 mg) dacarbazine (D) .375 mg/m² i.v. D₂₉, D₄₃ in infusion for 15 minutes

this cycle should be repeated 6 times at a rate of 1 cycle every 8 weeks, the cure comprising 6 cycles.

If an autologous bone marrow transplant (auto-graft) is 5 prescribed, the CVB protocol described by R. Chopra et al. (Blood 1993; 81: 1137-1145), C. Wheeler et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1990; 8: 648-656) and R. J. Jones et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1990, 8, 527-537) may be used according to the following scheme (the allograft taking place on day D₀):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁷, D⁻¹ or 2-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 hour cyclophosphamide 1800 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁷, D⁻⁶ in 2 infusions for D⁻⁵, D⁻⁴ 1 hour carmustine (BCNU) 112 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁷, D⁻⁶ in infusion for D⁻⁵, D⁻⁴ 0.5 hour etoposide 500 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁷, D⁻⁶ in 2 infusions for D⁻⁵, D⁻⁴ 1 hour

5/ Pediatric Lymphoblast Lymphoma

The compounds claimed may also be combined with the induction chemotherapy protocols (A. T. Meadows et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1989; 7: 92-99-C. Patte et al., Med. Ped. Oncol. 1992; 20: 105-113 and A. Reiter et al., J. Clin. Oncol. 1995; 13: 359-372) and the maintenance chemotherapy protocols:

5.1 Induction Chemotherapy

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₁₇-D₂₂, infusion for 1 hour D₂₄-D₂₉ cyclophosphamide 1200 mg/m² i.v. D₁ in infusion for 0.5 hour cytarabine depending on the age intra- D₁ thecal vincristine 1.5 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₃, D₁₀, D₁₇, (maximum 2 mg) D₂₄ prednisone 60 mg/m²/day oral D₃-D₂₈ divided into 3 doses/day daunorubicin 60 mg/m² i.v. D₁₇ in infusion for 15 minutes L-asparaginase 6000 U/m²/day im D₁₇-D₃₅ in infusion for 3 times/ 15 minutes week methotrexate depending on the age intra- D₁₇, D₃₁ thecal

5.2 Maintenance Chemotherapy

according to the following scheme

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₁₅-D₂₀, D₂₉-D₃₄ infusion for 1 hour cyclophos- 1000 mg/m² i.v. D₁ phamide in infusion for 0.5 hour vincristine 1.5 mg/m² bolus oral D₁, D₅ (maximum 2 mg) (from cycles 2 to 10) methotrexate 300 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁₅ (60% in infusion for 15 minutes and 40% in infusion for 4 hours) leucovorin 10 mg/m²/every 4 h oral D₁₆ daunorubicin 30 mg/m² i.v. D₂₉ in infusion for 0.5 hour methotrexate depending on the age intra- D₁, D₈, D₁₅ thecal (cycle 1) and then once/ month (cycles 2 to 10)

the cure comprising 10 cycles.

6/ Pediatric Neuroblastoma

The recommended polychemotherapy protocol Doxo-E-Cy-Pt is adapted from R. P. Castleberry et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 1299-1304), A. Garaventa et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1993; 11: 1770-1779) and D. C. West et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 11: 84-90):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₂₈-D₃₅, infusion for 1 hour D₅₈-D₆₅ doxorubicin 25 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂, D₃₀, D₅₈ in infusion for 15 minutes etoposide 100 mg/m² oral/ D₂, D₅, D₃₀, in infusion for naso- D₃₃, D₅₈, D₆₁ 1 hour gastric cyclophos- 1000 mg/m² i.v. D₃, D₄, D₃₁, phamide in infusion for D₃₂, D₅₉, D₆₀ 0.5 hour cisplatin 60 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₂₈, D₅₆ in infusion for 6 hours

the evaluation of the therapeutic response is carried out after 9 weeks in order to determine the approach: surgical resection, radiotherapy or new chemotherapy.

7/ Pediatric Osteosarcoma

The 2-quinolones may be added to the Doxo-Pt-Mtx-Lcv protocol as described by M. Hudson et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1990; 8: 1988-1997), P. A. Meyers (J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 5-15) and V. H. C. Bramwell et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1992; 10: 1579-1591):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₂₁-D₂₆, or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₂₈-D₃₃ infusion for 1 hour doxorubicin 25 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₃ in infusion for 24 hours cisplatin 120 mg/m² i.v. D₁ in infusion for 6 hours methotrexate 12 mg/m²/day i.v. D₂₁, D₂₈ in infusion for 1 hour leucovorin 100 mg/m² oral D₂₂, D₂₉ every 6 hours

8/ Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma

The Vcr-Dact-CY-Mesna protocol (H. Maurer et al., Cancer 1993; 71: 1904-1922 and L. R. Mandell et al., Oncology 1993; 7: 71-83) may include the i.v. infusion of the compounds claimed according to the following scheme:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂, or 2-50 mg/kg/day D₂₂-D₂₇, D₄₃-D₄₇ infusion for 1 hour vincristine 1.5 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₁, D₈, D₁₅, (max. 2 mg) D₂₂, D₂₉, D₃₆, D₄₃, D₅₀ and D₅₇ dactinomycin 0.015 mg/kg bolus i.v. D₁-D₅, D₂₂-D₂₇, (max. daily dose: D₄₃-D₄₇ 0.5 mg) cyclophos- 2.2 g/m² i.v. D₁, D₂₂, D₄₃ phamide in infusion for 1 hour mesna 360 mg/m² i.v. D₁, D₂₂, D₄₃ in infusion for 1 hour every 3 hours for 5 doses

At the end of the 9th week of treatment, the efficacy should be evaluated to decide the follow-up treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, continuation of the chemotherapy).

9/ Wilms' Tumor in Children

In the Vcr-Dact protocol as described by G. J. D'Angio et al. (Cancer, 1989; 64: 349-360) and D. M. Green et al. (J. Clin. Oncol. 1993; 11: 91-95):

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D₁-D₅, D₈-D₁₂ or 2-50 mg/kg/day and then every infusion for 1 hour week vincristine 2 mg/m² bolus i.v. D₇ (max. dose: 2 mg) and then every week dactinomycin 0.045 mg/kg bolus i.v. D₁ and then (P ≦ 30 kg) every 3 weeks 1.35 mg/m² (P > 30 kg) (max. dose: 3 mg)

this protocol being started after the surgical resection.

In the event of autologous bone marrow transplants 10 (auto-graft) according to A. Garaventar et al. (Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 1994; 22: 11-14), the E-Thio-Cy protocol may be modified as follows:

Dose Route Days 2-quinolone 100-200 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁸-D⁻¹ or 2-50 mg/kg/day infusion for 1 hour etoposide 1800 mg/m² i.v. D⁻⁸ (infusion for 24 hours) thiotepa 300 mg/m²/day i.v. D⁻⁷, D⁻⁶, D⁻⁵ in infusion for 2 hours cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg/day i.v. D⁻⁴, D⁻³, D⁻², in infusion for D⁻¹ 1 hour

The bone marrow transplant taking place on day D₀. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating cancer comprising the administration of (a) at least one antitumor agent chosen from cytotoxic agents and (b) an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (Ia):

in which: X is chosen from ═O, ═S and ═N—NH—R₇, R₇ being a phenyl or pyridyl group, R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCO—R₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃, or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group, R₅ is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂—R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide, R₆ is chosen from H, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀, R_(6a) is chosen from a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀, R₉ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group, R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hetero atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COOR₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅ and a group —COR₁₆, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkyl) group, R₄ and R₆ together also possible forming a —CO—CH₂—CH₂— group.
 2. Method according to claim 1, in which the compound is a compound of formula (I) in which: R₁ is a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group R₂ is a hydrogen atom R₃ is a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group R₄ is a hydrogen atom.
 3. Method according to claim 2, in which the compound is a compound of formula (I) in which: R₅ is a 4-(C₁-C₄ alkoxy) phenyl group.
 4. Method according to claim 3, in which: R₁ is a methoxy group, R₃ is a methoxy group, and R₅ is a 4-methoxyphenyl group.
 5. Method according to claim 4, in which the compound is 5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone.
 6. Method according to claim 4, in which the compound is 3-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanenitrile.
 7. Method according to claim 4, in which the compound is 1-[2-(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl]-5,7-dimethoxy-3(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone.
 8. Method according to claim 4, in which the compound is N,N-diethyl-3-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanamide.
 9. Pharmaceutical composition having activity on the proliferation of clonogenic cells in tumors and which comprises an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or (Ia):

in which: X is chosen from ═O, ═S and ═N—NH—R₇, R₇ being a phenyl or pyridyl group, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCO—R₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group, R₅ is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂—R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide, R₆ is chosen from H, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀, R_(6a) is chosen from a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀, R₉ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group, R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hetero atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COOR₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅, and a group —COR₁₆, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkyl) group, R₄ and R₆ together also possibly forming a —CO—CH₂—CH₂— group.
 10. Composition according to claim 9, in which the compound is a compound of formula (I) in which: R₁ is a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group R₂ is a hydrogen atom R₃ is a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group R₄ is a hydrogen atom.
 11. Composition according to claim 10, in which the compound is a compound of formula (I) in which: R₅ is a 4-(C₁-C₄ alkoxy) phenyl group.
 12. Composition according to claim 11, in which the compound is a compound of formula (I), R₁ is a methoxy group, R₃ is a methoxy group and R₅ is a 4-methoxyphenyl group.
 13. Composition according to claim 12, in which the compound is 5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone.
 14. Composition according to claim 12, in which the compound is 3-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanenitrile.
 15. Composition according to claim 12, in which the compound is 1-[2-(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl]-5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone.
 16. Composition according to claim 12, in which the compound is N,N-diethyl-3-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanamide.
 17. Compound of formula (I) or (Ia):

in which: X is chosen from ═O, ═S and ═N—NH—R₇, R₇ being a phenyl or pyridyl group, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group, R₅ is a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide, R₆ is chosen from a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀, R_(6a) is chosen from a group —CO—R₉ and group —A—R₁₀, R₉ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group, R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hereto atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COO4₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅ and a group —COR₁₆, R₁₁, R₁₂) R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkyl) group, R₄ and R₆ together also possibly forming a —CO—CH₂—CH₂— group.
 18. Compound according to claim 17, which is 3-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanenitrile.
 19. Compound according to claim 17, which is 1-[2-(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl]-5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-dihydro-2-quinolinone.
 20. Compound according to claim 17, which is N,N-diethyl-3-[5,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1-quinolinyl]propanamide.
 21. Compound of formula:

in which: X is chosen from ═O, ═S and ═N—NH—R₇, R₇ being a phenyl or pyridyl group, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCO—R₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group, R₅ is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄, alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂—R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide, R₆ is chosen from a group —A—R₁₀, A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group, R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hetero atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COOR₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅ and a group —COR₁₆, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkyl) group.
 22. Compound of formula:

in which: R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are chosen, independently of each other, from, H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCO—R₈, R₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, and a group derived from a saccharide, at least one of the substituents R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ being other than H, and R₂ and R₃ together possibly forming a methylenedioxy group, R₅ is a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted 1 to 3 times with groups chosen from H, OH, a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, a group —OCOR₈, a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkoxy) group, a group —O—SO₂—R′₈, R′₈ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group or a CF₃ group, and a group derived from a saccharide, R_(6a) is chosen from a group —CO—R₉ and a group —A—R₁₀, R₉ being a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, A being a C₁-C₄ alkylene group, R₁₀ being chosen from 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic groups containing 1 to 4 hetero atoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, the CN group, a group —COOR₁₁, —CONR₁₂R₁₃, a group —NR₁₄R₁₅ and a group —COR₁₆, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆ being chosen independently from a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group and a phenyl (C₁-C₄ alkyl) group. 